Following an extensive revamp of ingredients sourcing and manufacturing processes, Smart Balance buttery spreads landing on some store shelves beginning this month will be non-GMO. A full retail conversion to non-GMO Smart Balance spreads is expected by early summer.
"Consumers are communicating strong desire for more transparency in their food ingredients, and that is leading to a growing demand for non-GMO products," said Stephen Hughes, chairman and CEO, of Boulder Brands, parent company to the Smart Balance Brand. "Consumers favor healthier, less processed foods with simpler ingredients. They think what we put in our food matters, and frankly, the same applies to what we leave out. We hear this echoed over and over by our consumers and we are committed to moving in this direction."
Non-GMO Smart Balance is made from expeller-pressed oils from non-GMO seeds. In addition, manufacturing facilities and production processes have been enhanced to reduce risk of contact with GMO-containing ingredients. The new product will bear a prominent "non-GMO" label and pledge, pointing consumers to additional product facts and information at www.SmartBalance.com/nonGMO
Key to the conversion is the pledge that 100% of the ingredients sourced for the leading Smart Balance buttery spreads are non-GMO.
Smart Balance produces millions of tubs of spread each year, and the move to non-GMO ingredients will result in the conversion of more than 20 million pounds of oils to non-GMO. Smart Balance Natural Peanut Butter is already made using only non-GMO ingredients, and Smart Balance is evaluating opportunities to convert other products to non-GMO, including its mayonnaise dressing, cooking spray, and cooking oils.
"Our move to non-GMO is another important step in the Boulder Brands commitment to provide innovative, more transparent, healthier food alternatives," Hughes said. "Our goal is to work closely with industry leading partners to identify the resources and time required to convert our entire Smart Balance product line to non-GMO. This is the start of a journey, and we're committed to seeing this through. We appreciate the trust consumers place in us to help enable more informed choices about the food they serve their families."