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Conagra Brands has responded to a wave of negative consumer comments on the recipe change for its Smart Balance butter substitute by restoring the product”™s original formula.
Business Insider reported the company switched the ingredients on Smart Balance from 64% vegetable oil to 39% ”“ a company spokesperson claimed this was “to make [it] easier to spread.” However, consumers were not pleased with the change and responded on the Smart Balance with a wave of one-star reviews about the change.
Consumer advocate and blogger Edgar Dworsky called Conagra”™s switch a case of “skimpflation,” which occurs when products are “reformulated in some way, usually with less of the expensive components and often by substituting cheaper ingredients.”
My husband and I noticed a change because it keeps slipping and sliding off of the knife! Now we know why and I am disgusted …. been buying for decades.
It’s full of WATER!! I hope they have restored the original formula or I will be unable to make any future purchases of the product. Very disappointed. AND they raised the price significantly.
This is the least of their problems now.
Supermarket product procurement departments are highly sensitive to stocking any products that have poor consumer reviews ,which in turn reflects a lack of confidence in the supermarkets ability maintain quality food items on their shelves and thereby impacts the supermarket brand itself
It makes sense to remove product from their shelves and advertise that they have acted on this issue .
Joining the chorus of unhappy customers.
We really loved the old formila and didn’t mind the price.. this new stuff is really gross and we will not be using it!
I am thoroughly disgusted and give 0 stars for the 39% spread. It is full of water. Also, since the switch back supposedly to the original recipe, IT IS NOT THE SAME. If it is not back to the real original recipe, I will be changing products and will not be purchasing smart balance any more. I am very disappointed after years of being satisfied with your product that you would compromise our health, and our tastes for a cheaper product, and then raise the price also. Shame on you!
I know. The did NOT go back to the original recipe! It’s STILL watered down. For a $4 hike in price, it ought to go back to its original recipe or it WII NOT be purchased, AND I’ll spread the word!
I also noticed the change in Smart Balance. I do not like the taste or how it spreads. The stuff doesn’t even melt! My husband and I have used Smart Balance for years but will no longer be purchasing it.
I also have noticed the change in Smart Balance. I don’t like the taste or the consistency. The stuff won’t even melt! My husband and I have used Smart Balance for years, but will no longer be purchasing it.
Add me to the list of unhappy customers. The taste of the olive oil product is like gasoline. I loved the original brand. Please fix this. I won’t be buying anymore until the product has been returned to its original formula. A loyal customer for many years.
Thank you for listening to me.
there is a old saying” If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” I already purchased 2 competivite brands but will go back when the store has the original back on the shelf
I agree 100% with all of the negative comments about Smart Balance I have used for many years. Until the original formula is back on store shelves we have been using real butter.
Have been using since 1999 and the spread has been instremental in keeping my cholesterol down. Now with the change in taste and cheaper products it was time to find a different product. Since it appears the old formula has been restored, we will wait until the end of March for it to show up on our stores shelves before we decide to make a change.
The last Smart Balance I bought (been using for years) is not spreadable.
What did y’all do?
Hate the new stuff full of water and no tast and won’t melt. I love the old hart health not going to buy the new crap.
I agree, it was gross. We like our butter to melt, not clump.
FINALLY!!!!!!! Smart Balance now is back to its former good taste…if not better!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!