Butter, Margarine & Spreads: Ethical Comparison Ratings Table
With vegan butter and margarine brands more popular than ever before, it can be difficult for ethical shoppers to find truly ethical spreads. Learn more about the environmental issues with dairy farming and soy production. Find out which butter and margarine brands invest in deforestation, fossil fuel acquisition and damage indigenous communities…
Benchmark score within the category
Butter, Margarine & Spreads: Ethical Comparison Ratings Table
Calon Wen
Calon Wen Ethical Rating
Parent company: Calon Wen Organic Milk Co Operative Ltd
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Good
-
Organic
Good
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Good
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Good
-
Ethical Innovator
Good
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Naturli’
Naturli’ Ethical Rating
Parent company: Orkla ASA
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Good
-
Organic
Good
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Good
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Good
-
Ethical Innovator
Good
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Yeo Valley
Yeo Valley Ethical Rating
Parent company: Yeo Valley Ltd
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Acceptable
-
Genetic Modification
Good
-
Organic
Good
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Good
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Good
-
Ethical Innovator
Good
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Benecol
Benecol Ethical Rating
Parent company: Raisio Oyj
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Good
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Good
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Good
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Isigny Sainte-Mère
Isigny Sainte-Mère Ethical Rating
Parent company: Isigny Sainte-Mère
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Acceptable
-
Genetic Modification
Acceptable
-
Organic
Good
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Good
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Good
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Castle Dairies
Castle Dairies Ethical Rating
Parent company: Castle Dairies Ltd
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Poor
-
Genetic Modification
Acceptable
-
Organic
Good
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Good
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Good
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
The Butterworks
The Butterworks Ethical Rating
Parent company: Castle Dairies Ltd
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Poor
-
Genetic Modification
Acceptable
-
Organic
Good
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Good
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Good
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Kerrygold
Kerrygold Ethical Rating
Parent company: Ornua Co-operative Ltd
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Acceptable
-
Genetic Modification
Acceptable
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Good
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Good
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Anchor
Anchor Ethical Rating
Parent company: Arla Foods AMBA
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Acceptable
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Good
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Poor
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Arla
Arla Ethical Rating
Parent company: Arla Foods AMBA
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Acceptable
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Good
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Poor
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Lurpak
Lurpak Ethical Rating
Parent company: Arla Foods AMBA
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Acceptable
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Good
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Poor
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Pure
Pure Ethical Rating
Parent company: Kerry Group Plc
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Acceptable
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Poor
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Good
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Poor
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Vitalite
Vitalite Ethical Rating
Parent company: Saputo Inc.
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Poor
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Good
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Good
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms+
Poor
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
St Helen’s Farm
St Helen’s Farm Ethical Rating
Parent company: St Helen's Farm
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Poor
-
Genetic Modification
Acceptable
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Poor
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Acceptable
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Clover
Clover Ethical Rating
Parent company: Saputo Inc.
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Poor
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Good
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms+
Poor
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Country Life
Country Life Ethical Rating
Parent company: Saputo Inc.
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Poor
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Good
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms+
Poor
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Utterly Butterly
Utterly Butterly Ethical Rating
Parent company: Saputo Inc.
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Poor
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Good
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms+
Poor
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Willow
Willow Ethical Rating
Parent company: Saputo Inc.
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Poor
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Good
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Good
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms+
Poor
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
President
President Ethical Rating
Parent company: Groupe Lactalis
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Acceptable
-
Genetic Modification
Acceptable
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Good
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Poor
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Good
-
Political Donations
Poor
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms+
Poor
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Flora
Flora Ethical Rating
Parent company: KKR & Co Inc.
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Poor
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Poor
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Poor
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Good
People
-
Armaments
Acceptable
-
Political Donations
Poor
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms+
Poor
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Stork
Stork Ethical Rating
Parent company: KKR & Co Inc.
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Poor
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Poor
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Poor
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Good
People
-
Armaments
Acceptable
-
Political Donations
Poor
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms+
Poor
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Violife
Violife Ethical Rating
Parent company: KKR & Co Inc.
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Poor
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Poor
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Poor
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Good
People
-
Armaments
Acceptable
-
Political Donations
Poor
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms+
Poor
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Bertolli
Bertolli Ethical Rating
Parent company: KKR & Co Inc.
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Poor
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Poor
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Poor
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Acceptable
-
Political Donations
Poor
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms+
Poor
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Ethical Rating
Parent company: KKR & Co Inc.
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating
Environment
-
Environmental Report
Good
-
Genetic Modification
Poor
-
Organic
Poor
-
Nuclear Power
Good
-
Fossil Fuels
Poor
Animal
-
Animal Welfare
Poor
-
Vegetarian/Vegan Verified
Poor
People
-
Armaments
Acceptable
-
Political Donations
Poor
Other
-
Ethical Accreditation
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms
Poor
-
Public Record Criticisms+
Poor
= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating