Why is I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Original classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and which additives does it contain?

The product is made from refined vegetable oils, emulsifiers, flavorings and acidity regulators, all of which are industrially processed ingredients, which places it in the NOVA 4 ultra‑processed category. It lists three additives: E471 (mono‑ and diglycerides of fatty acids), E322 (lecithins) and E330 (citric acid).

How does the 1.28 g of salt per 100 g in this spread affect a hypertensive or low‑sodium diet?

At 1.28 g per 100 g, the spread provides about one‑third of the World Health Organization’s recommended maximum daily salt intake (5 g), so regular consumption can contribute to elevated blood pressure and should be limited for people managing hypertension or following a low‑sodium diet.

Is this spread suitable for vegan, keto, halal, or gluten‑free diets?

The formulation contains only plant‑based ingredients, making it vegan and gluten‑free. Its high fat and zero‑carbohydrate profile fits well with a ketogenic diet. Halal suitability cannot be confirmed without a specific certification, as some emulsifiers and the palm oil may derive from non‑halal sources.

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! • 500 g

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Original

Fat And Sauces

Product Insights

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Original is a plant‑based spread classified in the "Fat and sauces" and "Fats" PNNS groups. Per 100 g it delivers 39 g of fat (including 10 g saturated), 1.28 g of salt, no sugars or protein, earning a Nutri‑Score of D and a NOVA 4 rating, and it contains the additives E471, E322 and E330. While it is vegan and free from added sugars, the relatively high saturated fat and especially the elevated salt content, together with the presence of palm oil, limit its suitability for heart‑healthy or low‑sodium diets.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

high

Saturated Fat

high

Sugars

low

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g

Energy Kcal351 kcal

Comparative Analysis

Compared with the average spread (76.6 g fat, 21.7 g saturated fat, 0.39 g salt, 3.6 g sugars per 100 g), this product has markedly lower total and saturated fat and contains no sugar, but its salt level is more than three times higher.

Ingredients

Water, vegetable oils (rapeseed, palm, sunflower, in varying proportion), salt (1.3%), emulsifiers (mono - and diglycerides of fatty acids, lecithins), flavouring, acidity regulator (citric acid), vitamins (A and D).

84%

35%

Unlock What Your Food Doesn't Tell You

Scan this and millions of other food products to discover hidden positive & negative points, scores percentage, additives, allergens, and deeper product insights with the free NutrScan app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Original.

Nutrilich

500 G