Dairy & eggs · Product label guide
Dairy alternatives: butter & cheese: compare ingredients, then choose.
Updated
Compare plant-based butters, spreads, and cheeses by base, oils, thickeners, and allergens.
The short answer
Our picks for dairy alternatives: butter & cheese
Top of the shelfShopRite Organic, Dairy Free Plant-based Buttery Sticks, Nuts for Cheese Organic Super Blue Cashew Cheese, and Nuts for Cheese Organic Un-Brie-Lievable Cashew Cheese each score 100/100. 4 products tie at 100; these 3 have the shortest labels. Use Compare by in the table to separate the rest.
Also strongNuts for Cheese Organic Smoky Gouda-Style Cashew Cheese Wedge (100), Good & Gather Cheddar Style Non-dairy Shreds (71), and Great Value Cheddar Shredded Dairy-free Cheese Alternative (71).
Clear noSmart Balance Original Buttery Spread (lists seed oils and artificial preservatives), Miyoko's Creamery Pourable Plant Milk Mozzarella (lists seed oils), Miyoko's Creamery European Style Plant Milk Butter, Unsalted (lists seed oils), plus 18 more with a listed group.
Ranked from 72 of 72 products with current labels. Every product is in the table below; a score reflects labels and claims, not nutrition, allergies or safety.
Compare the recorded labels
Find the ingredients that matter to you.
“No …” columns: None found on the label · Listed on the label · Unknown. Diet fit: Fits · Doesn’t fit · Unknown (rules; not medical advice). Claims: verified · not established. Default: most check marks first; not a health score.
| Buy | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Cashews*, coconut oil*, quinoa rejuvelac (water, quinoa*), water, nutritional yeast, chickpea miso (rice*, chickpeas*, sea salt, water, koji spores), sea salt, paprika*, turmeric*. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Nuts For Cheese Fermented Cashew Product Organic & Dairy-Free Smoky Gouda Style Wedge 6/4.23 Oz [UNFI #2724045]”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Cashews*, coconut oil*, quinoa rejuvelac (water, quinoa*), water, nutritional yeast, chickpea miso (rice*, chickpeas*, sea salt, water, koji spores), sea salt, spirulina*. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Nuts For Cheese Fermented Cashew Product Organic & Dairy-Free Super Blue 6/4.23 Oz [UNFI #2724037]”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Cashews*, coconut oil*, coconut milk*, water, quinoa rejuvelac (water, quinoa*), sea salt, nutritional yeast, chickpea miso (rice*, chickpeas*, sea salt, water, koji spores). Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “Nuts For Cheese Fermented Cashew Product Organic & Dairy-Free Un-Brie-Lievable 6/4.23 Oz [UNFI #2723963]”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients EXPELLER-PRESSED ORGANIC OIL BLEND (COCONUT, HI-OLEIC SUNFLOWER, SUSTAINABLE ETHICAL PALM FRUIT+) WATER, SEA SALT, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, ORGANIC NATURAL FLAVOR, TOCOPHEROLS, ORGANIC ANNATTO EXTRACT COLOR. Label checked 2026-10-18 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2415693 · data date 2022-12-22 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-18 | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients FILTERED WATER, HIGHLY REFINED COCONUT OIL, MODIFIED POTATO STARCH, MODIFIED TAPIOCA STARCH, POTATO STARCH, SEA SALT, OLIVE EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVOR, PAPRIKA EXTRACT (COLOR), BETA CAROTENE (COLOR). Label checked 2026-10-18 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2422530 · data date 2022-12-22 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients BLEND OF PLANT-BASED OILS (SOYBEAN, PALM FRUIT, PALM KERNEL AND AVOCADO OIL), WATER, SALT, PEA PROTEIN, SOY LECITHIN, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, VITAMIN E ACETATE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, BETA CAROTENE (COLOR) Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2614786 · data date 2023-08-31 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients BLEND OF PLANT-BASED OILS (SOYBEAN, PALM FRUIT, PALM KERNEL, OLIVE, AND EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL), WATER, SALT, PEA PROTEIN, SOY LECITHIN, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, VITAMIN E ACETATE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, BETA CAROTENE (COLOR) Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2614787 · data date 2023-08-31 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients (VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE, DAIRY-FREE, SOY-FREE, NON-GMO): EXPELLER-PRESSED CANDA OIL, FILTERED WATER, CHIPOTLE CHILE PASTE [WATER, CHIPOTLE CHILES] GARLIC, BROWN RICE SYRUP, WHITE WINE VINEGAR, PEA PROTEIN, SEA SALT, MUSTARD FLOUR, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVOR, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, XANTHAN GUM, PAPRIKA EXTRACT. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2501761 · data date 2023-03-16 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients NON-DAIRY CHEDDAR CHEESE ALTERNATIVE (WATER, COCONUT OIL, POTATO STARCH, MODIFIED POTATO STARCH, SALT, POTATO PROTEIN, YEAST EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVOR, XANTHAN GUM, LACTIC ACID, ANNATTO EXTRACT COLOR), POW- DERED CELLULOSE ADDED TO PREVENT CAKING. Label checked 2026-10-18 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2655715 · data date 2023-10-26 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients FILTERED WATER, COCONUT OIL, FOOD STARCH - MODIFIED (POTATO & TAPIOCA), SEA SALT, CALCIUM CITRATE, OLIVE EXTRACT, CHEDDAR FLAVOR (VEGAN SOURCES), PAPRIKA EXTRACT & BETA CAROTENE (COLOR) Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2300883 · data date 2022-05-23 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients DAIRY-FREE CHEDDAR CHEESE ALTERNATIVE (WATER, COCONUT OIL, POTATO STARCH, MODIFIED POTATO STARCH, SALT, POTATO PROTEIN, YEAST EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVOR, XANTHAN GUM, LACTIC ACID, ANNATTO EXTRACT COLOR), POWDERED CELLULOSE ADDED TO PREVENT CAKING. Label checked 2026-10-18 · US Source: USDA FoodData Central ↗ · FDC ID 2553576 · data date 2023-05-25 · release 2026-04-30. Brand-submitted label record, public domain (CC0). | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients ALMOND MILK (WATER, ALMONDS), SALT, ENZYMES, TARTARIC ACID, CULTURES. Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients ALMOND MILK (WATER, ALMONDS), SALT, RICE STARCH, ENZYMES, TARTARIC ACID, GUAR GUM, CULTURES. Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients ALMOND MILK (WATER, ALMONDS), SALT, CHIVES, ROWANBERRY FRUIT EXTRACT (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS), ENZYME, XANTHAN GUM, GUAR GUM, WHITE PEPPER, CULTURES, LACTIC ACID. Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients ALMOND MILK (WATER, ALMONDS), SALT, DEHYDRATED ONION, POPPY SEED, DEYDRATED GARLIC, SESAME SEEDS, ROWANBERRY FRUIT EXTRACT (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS), ROASTED SESAME SEEDS, ENZYME, XANTHAN GUM, LACTIC ACID, GUAR GUM, CULTURES. Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients ALMOND MILK (WATER, ALMONDS), COCONUT OIL, ONIONS, TAPIOCA STARCH, ORGANIC DATES, TOASTED ONIONS, GARLIC, SALT, ROWANBERRY FRUIT EXTRACT (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS), YEAST EXTRACT, CITRUS FIBER, NATURAL FLAVORS, SPICES, GUAR GUM, CULTURES. Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients ALMOND MILK (WATER, ALMONDS), SALT, DEHYDRATED ONION, RED BELL PEPPER, GREEN BELL PEPPER, ROWANBERRY FRUIT EXTRACT (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS), TOMATO, ENZYME, GARLIC, PARSLEY, XANTHAN GUM, GUAR GUM, CULTURES, LACTIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR. Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients ALMOND MILK (WATER, ALMONDS), SALT, ROWANBERRY FRUIT EXTRACT (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS), ENZYME, XANTHAN GUM, GUAR GUM, CULTURES, LACTIC ACID. Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients ALMOND MILK (WATER, ALMONDS), SOY PROTEIN, SALT, ENZYME, ROWANBERRY FRUIT EXTRACT (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS), XANTHAN GUM, GUAR GUM, NATURAL FLAVOR, CULTURES, LACTIC ACID. Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients ALMOND MILK (WATER, ALMONDS), COCONUT OIL, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, RED PEPPERS, TOMATO, JALAPENOS, SALT, NATURAL FLAVORS, ROWANBERRY FRUIT EXTRACT (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS), CAPSICUM, LOCUST BEAN GUM, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, GUAR GUM, YEAST EXTRACT, ANNATTO (FOR COLOR), BLACK PEPPER, BLACK CARROT JUICE (FOR COLOR), CULTURES. Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
How the clean score works
No setup needed, and strict: a full 100 needs every additive group clear and a verified organic claim (animal foods also need a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim; wild seafood and salt, which have no USDA organic standard, are scored without the organic points, and plant-based milks, cheeses and proteins without the feeding claim). Points: the nine additive groups (seed oils, artificial dyes, MSG, artificial sweeteners, carrageenan, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils, corn syrups, banned-abroad additives) share 60 points equally — not found earns a group’s full share, “may contain” earns half, listed earns 0; a verified organic claim is worth 25; a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim is worth 15 and counts only for animal foods. No claim, or an expired or unverified claim, earns nothing, so products without those claims cannot reach 100. Unverified or expired ingredient labels receive no score. Equal scores are equal. Ties are ordered by brand. Unknown and stale evidence never passes “Only show matches.” Producer claims and prices do not affect this score. This is not a nutrition, allergy, or safety rating.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying links do not influence ingredient results. “Buy on Amazon” opens a reviewed product listing; “Find where to buy” opens the maker’s page. Confirm the package, seller, stock, and current price before checkout. Price observations expire after 30 days.
The full guide · Dairy & eggs
Choosing dairy alternatives: butter & cheese: what to check before you buy
Choose a plant-based butter, spread or cheese for the way you will use it, such as spreading, baking or melting. Check the base, full oil blend and any starches or gums that give the product structure.
Compare protein, calcium, sodium and saturated fat if you are using it in place of dairy. Check the exact nut, soy and other allergen ingredients; a plant-based description does not make every recipe interchangeable.
What the labels on this shelf show
We track 72 products from 23 brands on the dairy alternatives: butter & cheese shelf. 72 have a complete, current ingredient label on record (100%), which is what lets us score them. The other 0 stay unscored until the maker publishes a full label; a missing label is “not yet”, never a pass.
Of the 72 scored labels, 51 (71%) list none of the nine additive groups we check. The group that appears most is seed oils, listed on 21 labels, followed by artificial preservatives on 1. 4 scored products carry a verified organic claim, which adds points. Scores here run from 55 to 100, and the typical label lists 9 ingredients.
What to compare
- Base and oil blend
- Read every oil and the nut, soy, oat or other base.
- Use in a recipe
- Check suitability for spreading, melting or baking.
- Nutrition for substitution
- Compare protein, calcium, sodium and saturated fat when replacing dairy.
- Allergen information
- Check the exact ingredients and allergen statement rather than relying on plant-based wording.
The best picks, in detail
These are the highest-scoring dairy alternatives: butter & cheese products on current labels. 4 products tie at 100, so we put the shortest ingredient lists first; Always match the exact flavor and package before you buy.
ShopRite Organic, Dairy Free Plant-based Buttery Sticks 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim. Label: “EXPELLER-PRESSED ORGANIC OIL BLEND (COCONUT, HI-OLEIC SUNFLOWER, SUSTAINABLE ETHICAL PALM FRUIT+) WATER, SEA SALT, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, ORGANIC NATURAL FLAVOR, TOCOPHEROLS, ORGANIC ANNATTO EXTRACT COLOR.”
Maker’s label sourceNuts for Cheese Organic Super Blue Cashew Cheese 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim. Label: “Cashews*, coconut oil*, quinoa rejuvelac (water, quinoa*), water, nutritional yeast, chickpea miso (rice*, chickpeas*, sea salt, water, koji spores), sea salt, spirulina*.”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label sourceNuts for Cheese Organic Un-Brie-Lievable Cashew Cheese 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim. Label: “Cashews*, coconut oil*, coconut milk*, water, quinoa rejuvelac (water, quinoa*), sea salt, nutritional yeast, chickpea miso (rice*, chickpeas*, sea salt, water, koji spores).”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label sourceNuts for Cheese Organic Smoky Gouda-Style Cashew Cheese Wedge 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim. Label: “Cashews*, coconut oil*, quinoa rejuvelac (water, quinoa*), water, nutritional yeast, chickpea miso (rice*, chickpeas*, sea salt, water, koji spores), sea salt, paprika*, turmeric*.”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label sourceGood & Gather Cheddar Style Non-dairy Shreds 71/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, no verified organic claim. Label: “NON-DAIRY CHEDDAR CHEESE ALTERNATIVE (WATER, COCONUT OIL, POTATO STARCH, MODIFIED POTATO STARCH, SALT, POTATO PROTEIN, YEAST EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVOR, XANTHAN GUM, LACTIC ACID, ANNATTO EXTRACT COLOR), POW- DERED CELLULOSE ADDED TO PREVENT CAKING.”
Maker’s label sourceGreat Value Cheddar Shredded Dairy-free Cheese Alternative 71/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, no verified organic claim. Label: “DAIRY-FREE CHEDDAR CHEESE ALTERNATIVE (WATER, COCONUT OIL, POTATO STARCH, MODIFIED POTATO STARCH, SALT, POTATO PROTEIN, YEAST EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVOR, XANTHAN GUM, LACTIC ACID, ANNATTO EXTRACT COLOR), POWDERED CELLULOSE ADDED TO PREVENT CAKING.”
Maker’s label source
What to skip, and why
These scored products list at least one group on their current label. That is the clearest reason to pass if you are avoiding those ingredients.
- Smart Balance Original Buttery Spread lists seed oils and artificial preservatives (55/100)
- Miyoko's Creamery Pourable Plant Milk Mozzarella lists seed oils (63/100)
- Miyoko's Creamery European Style Plant Milk Butter, Unsalted lists seed oils (63/100)
Your preferences, explained
The clean score is strict and needs no setup: nine additive groups not found in a current ingredient statement, plus a verified organic claim (and a grass-fed or pasture-raised claim for animal foods), are needed for 100; a possible match earns half and a missing claim earns nothing. Missing or expired evidence stays unknown. It does not assess nutrition, allergies, contaminants, or safety.
References
- Saturated fats American Heart Association
- Types of fat Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
- Food allergies and allergen labeling U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Organic labeling and what the USDA Organic seal means USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
An ingredient check is not a nutrition, contaminant, allergy or safety assessment. How we verify labels →