Is Justin's Almond Butter Clean?

The Short Answer

Justin's Classic Almond Butter is an acceptable but imperfect choice. It avoids the artificial sweeteners and hydrogenated oils found in conventional peanut butter brands. Is Peanut Butter Healthy

However, every Justin's almond butter contains palm oil. While they source sustainable palm oil to prevent separation, this highly processed oil needlessly raises your intake of saturated fats.

If you choose their flavored options like Vanilla or Maple, you're also getting up to 16% added sugar by weight. You are better off buying a truly clean, single-ingredient brand. What Nut Butters Have No Palm Oil Or Added Sugar

Why This Matters

Nut butters should be a one-ingredient food. When brands add extra ingredients, they are usually cutting costs or artificially enhancing the texture.

Palm oil is the most common additive in commercial nut butters. It's a cheap, highly processed stabilizer that keeps the almond oil from separating at room temperature.

While it saves you from stirring, palm oil is high in saturated fats. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) also notes that processing palm oil at high temperatures creates contaminants that are best avoided in a clean diet.

There's also the issue of pesticide exposure. While Justin's uses organic ingredients for their chocolate cups, their core nut butters do not use organic almonds.

Conventionally grown almonds are heavily treated, making organic certification a major plus for daily consumers. Are Mixed Nuts Healthy

What's Actually In Justin's Almond Butter

• Dry Roasted Almonds — The primary ingredient in all their spreads. They are not certified organic, meaning they are conventionally grown.
• Palm Oil — Added to prevent oil separation. Justin's uses RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil, but it still adds unnecessary processed fats to your snack.
• Organic Powdered Sugar — Found in their flavored varieties. The Vanilla flavor is 16% sugar by weight and scores a moderate-to-high concern rating from EWG.
• Organic Cocoa Butter — Added to the Vanilla flavor to create a richer, frosting-like texture.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• One ingredient — The label should literally just say "organic almonds" or "dry roasted almonds".
• Oil separation — If the oil sits on top, that means it's clean. It hasn't been homogenized with processed emulsifiers.

Red Flags:

• Added oils — Palm, sunflower, or canola oil are frequently used to stretch the product and prevent stirring.
• Added sugars — Maple sugar, cane sugar, and honey turn a healthy fat source into a dessert spread.

The Best Options

Finding a clean almond butter means accepting the stir. Here is how Justin's compares to the cleanest brands on the shelf. What Nut Butters Have No Palm Oil Or Added Sugar

The Bottom Line

1. Stick to the Classic. If you buy Justin's, avoid the flavored packets. The Classic version only has two ingredients, while the Vanilla and Maple versions are loaded with added sugar.

2. Accept the stir. Clean almond butter separates naturally. Keep it upside down in the pantry to make stirring easier when you finally open it.

3. Upgrade to organic. Since conventional almonds are heavily sprayed with chemicals, investing in a one-ingredient organic brand like Artisana is better for daily consumption.

FAQ

Does Justin's use sustainable palm oil?

Yes, Justin's uses RSPO-certified sustainably sourced palm oil. However, while this is better for the environment, it is still a highly processed oil that adds unnecessary saturated fat to your diet.

Why isn't Justin's almond butter certified organic?

While Justin's uses organic secondary ingredients, their actual almonds are conventionally grown. Buying organic almonds at scale is expensive, so they opt for conventional nuts to keep their price point competitive.

Do I need to refrigerate Justin's almond butter?

No, it does not require refrigeration. The palm oil acts as a stabilizer, allowing it to sit safely in your pantry without separating or going rancid quickly.