Figuring out whether Country Crock is vegan friendly can be challenging.
Butter spread brands often hide their ingredients behind vague terms such as “natural flavors,” and even when they do provide a full list of ingredients, it can be hard to determine which ones are plant based and which ones aren’t.
To ensure that you’re only consuming food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production processes of Country Crock.
Here’s what I found out.
Is Country Crock Vegan?
No—but also yes. Most Country Crock products are not vegan, but it does have a few plant-based products.
Country Crock products are made with simple, recognizable ingredients. It offers a true country fresh taste to the dinner table with no artificial flavors or preservatives.
Although some Country Crock products, such as the Country Crock Plant Butter spreads, are vegan, others are not because they contain vitamin D3, whey, and sugar, which are all unsuitable for vegans.
Vitamin D3 is commonly extracted from lanolin, also known as wool yolk, wool wax, or wool grease, which is a wax released by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals. It is not vegan.
Whey is the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained. It is a by-product of the cheese-making process.
Sugar is also not vegan unless it is specifically labeled as “raw,” “unfiltered,” or “organic.” The problem with sugar is that it is frequently processed with animal bone char to make it whiter. Bone char is made from the bones of cattle and is used as a decolorizing agent.
So, while some Country Crock products are vegan, others are not. Be sure to check the ingredients list before you buy.
Is Country Crock Cruelty Free?
Yes! Country Crock is cruelty free.
Even though some Country Crock products contain animal ingredients, they are never tested on animals during the manufacturing process. They also contain no additives or ingredients that have been tested on animals, such as artificial colors or flavors.
Animal testing is a harsh and obsolete practice that results in the deformity, misery, or death of vulnerable animals. There are alternatives to animal testing, thus there is no reason for any company to continue doing it.
Fortunately, Country Crock does not contribute to such horrible animal abuse.
What Is Country Crock Made Of?
Here are the ingredients of Country Crock Original Spread:
- Purified water
- Soybean oil
- Palm kernel
- Palm oil
- Salt
- Lecithin (soy)
- Vinegar
- Natural flavors
- Vitamin A palmitate
- Beta carotene (color)
- Vitamin D3
Let’s break down each ingredient of Country Crock Original Spread:
Purified water
Purified water is water that has been filtered and treated to remove impurities. It is a vegan ingredient.
Soybean oil
Soybean oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the soybean plant. It is commonly used in cooking and baking. It is a vegan ingredient.
Palm kernel
The palm kernel is the edible seed of the palm fruit. It is often used in cooking and baking. It is a vegan ingredient.
Palm oil
Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil extracted from the pulp of the fruit of the palm tree. It is a vegan ingredient.
Salt
Salt is a mineral composed of sodium and chloride. It is used to add flavor to food. It is a vegan ingredient.
Lecithin (soy)
Lecithin is a fatty substance that is found in all plants and animals. It is used as an emulsifier in food. It’s a vegan ingredient.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a liquid composed of acetic acid and water. It is used as a condiment or preservative. Vinegar is a vegan ingredient.
Natural flavor
Natural flavors are flavors that are derived from plants or animals. They are used to add flavor to food. Natural flavors are not always vegan.
Vitamin A palmitate
Vitamin A palmitate is a vitamin A derivative. It is used as a dietary supplement and as an ingredient in some cosmetics. Vitamin A palmitate is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Beta carotene (color)
Beta carotene is a pigment that gives fruits and vegetables their orange color. It is often used as a food coloring. Beta carotene is a vegan-friendly ingredient.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is a vitamin D derivative. It is used as a dietary supplement. Vitamin D3 is derived from lanolin, which is a wax secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals. It is not vegan.
Why Isn’t Country Crock Vegan?
It’s really 50/50, half of the products are, while the other half are not. Country Crock has two main product lines, the original butter spreads and plant-based spreads.
The original butter spread line is not vegan because it contains dairy ingredients, such as whey, milk, and butter. Other non-vegan ingredients include refined sugar, which is sometimes processed with animal bone char, and vitamin D, which is derived from lanolin.
The plant butter line is vegan because it is made with 100% plant-based ingredients, such as coconut oil, sunflower oil, and pea protein.
Is Country Crock Light Spread Vegan?
No. Country Crock Light Spread contains mono- and diglycerides, as well as vitamin D3.
Country Crock Light Spread is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Country Crock Churn Style Spread Vegan?
No. Country Crock Churn Style Spread contains vitamin D3.
Country Crock Churn Style Spread is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Country Crock Calcium With 8% Daily Value Per Tbsp Vegan?
No. Country Crock Calcium With 8% Daily Value Per Tbsp is not vegan. This spread contains mono- and diglycerides, as well as vitamin D3.
Country Crock Calcium With 8% Daily Value Per Tbsp is not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Country Crock Salted Baking Sticks Vegan?
No. Country Crock Salted Baking Sticks contain whey.
Country Crock Salted Baking Sticks are not safe for vegan consumption.
Are Country Crock Plant Butter Sticks With Almond Oil Vegan?
Yes! Country Crock Plant Butter Sticks with Almond Oil are vegan. These sticks are plant-based, dairy free, and gluten-free.
These plant-based butter sticks are safe for vegan consumption.
Are Country Crock Plant Butter Sticks With Avocado Oil Vegan?
Yes! Made with plant-based oils, Country Crock Plant Butter Sticks with Avocado Oil are plant based, dairy free, and gluten free.
Country Crock Plant Butter Sticks With Avocado Oil are safe for vegan consumption.
Are Country Crock Plant Butter Sticks With Olive Oil Vegan?
Yes! Country Crock Plant Butter Sticks with Olive Oil are plant based, dairy free, and gluten free.
Country Crock Plant Butter Sticks With Olive Oil are safe for vegan consumption.
Are Country Crock Plant Butter Sticks With Sea Salt Vegan?
Yes! Country Crock Plant Butter Sticks with Sea Salt are vegan. They are completely plant based, dairy free, and gluten free.
Country Crock Plant Butter Sticks with Sea Salt are safe for vegan consumption.
Is Country Crock Plant Cream Vegan?
No. Country Crock Plant Cream is not vegan because it contains refined sugar and mono- and diglycerides.
Country Crock Plant Cream is not safe for vegan consumption.
Is Country Crock Plant Butter Tub With Avocado Oil Vegan?
Yes! Country Crock Plant Butter Tub with Avocado Oil is vegan. It is plant based, dairy free, and gluten free.
Country Crock Plant Butter Tub with Avocado Oil is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Country Crock Plant Butter Tub With Almond Oil Vegan?
Yes! Country Crock Plant Butter Tub with Almond Oil is vegan. It is plant based, dairy free, and gluten free.
Country Crock Plant Butter Tub with Almond Oil is safe for vegan consumption.
Is Country Crock Plant Butter Tub With Olive Oil Vegan?
Yes! Country Crock Plant Butter Tub with Olive Oil is vegan. It is plant based, dairy free, and gluten free.
Country Crock Plant Butter Tub with Olive Oil is safe for vegan consumption.
Vegan Alternatives to Country Crock
If you like to eat your plant-based foods with a butter spread, there are numerous vegan butter spreads on the market that are made with plant-based ingredients and do not contain any animal products. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Califia Farms: Plant Butter
- Melt Organic Probiotic Butter Made From Plants
- I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! It’s Vegan
- Wild Creamery: European Style Butter Alternative
- Milkadamia Salted Buttery Spread
Any of these brands provide great flavor. They have a rich buttery flavor that goes great on toast, in vegan baking recipes, or even just eaten by the spoonful.
Final Words
So there you have it! The answer to the question, “Is Country Crock Vegan?” is no. Country Crock is not vegan because some of its products contain vitamin D3, whey, and sugar.
But don’t worry! While some of Country Crock’s products are not vegan, they do offer a few vegan-friendly alternatives. There are also many delicious vegan butter spreads on the market that have the same rich flavor as regular butter but include no animal ingredients. Go forth and enjoy your plant-based butter!