Is Olivani Vegan Friendly? A Comprehensive Guide

November 10, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Vegan Society of Aotearoa, New Zealand, several Olivani spreads are confirmed as suitable for vegans. This is because the classic Olivani, Lite, and Avocado varieties are formulated without any animal fats or dairy products, making Olivani vegan friendly for most plant-based diets. However, checking the label is always recommended for specific varieties and ingredient changes.

Quick Summary

Yes, standard Olivani, Lite, and Avocado spreads are considered vegan-friendly, as they contain no animal fats or dairy. The product is a plant-based margarine primarily made from vegetable oils, including olive oil, and contains soy lecithin as an emulsifier.

Key Points

Vegan-Friendly Spreads: Standard Olivani, Lite, and Avocado varieties are confirmed vegan-friendly and dairy-free.
Check Labels for Variations: Always read the ingredients, especially for new or specific product types like cholesterol-lowering spreads, as formulations can change.
Emulsifier Clarification: Although the emulsifier E471 can be animal-derived, Olivani is explicitly labelled as containing no animal fats, confirming its plant-based source.
Use as Butter Substitute: Olivani is an effective plant-based alternative to butter for spreading and many baking recipes.
Mindful of Cross-Contamination: Some Olivani products may be manufactured in facilities that also handle milk, a detail that may matter to some consumers with allergies or ethical concerns.

Understanding Olivani's Vegan Status

For many following a plant-based diet, finding reliable information on processed food products can be challenging. Olivani, a popular olive oil-based spread, is a great option for those looking for a vegan alternative to traditional butter. The manufacturer, Goodman Fielder, and reputable vegan organizations confirm that several of its core products are vegan-friendly. This is based on the ingredients and formulation, which avoid animal-derived components.

Key Vegan-Friendly Olivani Spreads

Different Olivani products have distinct ingredients, so it's important to know which ones are safe for a vegan diet. Based on information from official product descriptions and vegan resources, the following are generally considered vegan:

Olivani Original Olive Oil Spread: As a standard vegetable oil-based margarine, this product is formulated with vegetable oils, water, salt, and plant-based emulsifiers. It contains no animal fats or dairy products, making it a reliable vegan choice.
Olivani Lite Olive Oil Spread: The reduced-fat version also maintains a vegan-friendly status, being dairy-free and containing no animal fats. Its ingredients follow a similar plant-based formula to the original spread.
Olivani Avocado Spread: This specific variety, which includes a percentage of avocado oil, is also made from a blend of vegetable oils and is dairy-free.

What About the Cholesterol Lowering Versions?

Olivani also offers a line of cholesterol-lowering spreads. These contain added plant sterols, which are a plant-based component that helps to reduce cholesterol absorption. The ingredient lists for these products also confirm they are dairy-free and suitable for vegans.

The Role of Emulsifiers in Olivani

One of the main concerns for vegans when evaluating processed foods is the origin of certain additives, especially emulsifiers like E471. In Olivani spreads, the emulsifiers used are soy lecithin and E471.

Soy Lecithin: This emulsifier is always plant-derived, coming from soybeans. As the name suggests, it is naturally vegan.
E471 (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids): The vegan status of this emulsifier can be ambiguous, as it can be sourced from either animal fats or vegetable oils. However, product listings for Olivani explicitly state that the spreads contain no animal fats or dairy, confirming the E471 is from a plant source. For products that don't make this claim, vegans would need to contact the manufacturer to be certain.

Potential Cross-Contamination and Manufacturing Concerns

While the ingredients in core Olivani products are vegan, it is worth noting that some manufacturing facilities may also handle milk products. For most vegans, this is not a concern, as it does not affect the ingredients. However, for those with severe allergies or strict ethical preferences regarding cross-contamination, this is something to be aware of. The Cholesterol Lowering Buttery Spread, for example, notes that it is 'Made in a facility that also produces products containing milk'.

Olivani vs. Butter: A Comparison for Vegans

To better understand why Olivani is a popular vegan choice, here is a comparison with traditional dairy butter.


Feature	Olivani Spreads	Dairy Butter (Standard)
Source	Vegetable oils (olive oil, others)	Animal fats from milk
Dairy-Free	Yes	No
Cholesterol	Cholesterol-free (most varieties)	High in dietary cholesterol
Lactose-Free	Yes	No
Spreadability	Easily spreadable from the fridge	Hard and difficult to spread cold
Suitable for Vegans	Yes (Original, Lite, Avocado)	No

Baking and Cooking with Olivani

Olivani can be used as a direct substitute for butter in many cooking and baking applications. However, like other margarine and vegetable oil spreads, it may behave differently from traditional butter, especially at high temperatures. It is often a good substitute for cookies, cakes, and spreads, but some cooks find that it does not perform as well as butter for certain applications like caramel. When baking, it is always recommended to check that the specific Olivani product is suitable for the recipe's requirements.

Conclusion: Is Olivani Vegan Friendly?

Based on current ingredient information and manufacturer claims, yes, Olivani spreads are vegan-friendly. The Original, Lite, and Avocado varieties are dairy-free, contain no animal fats, and use plant-derived emulsifiers. However, it's crucial to always read the ingredient list for the specific product you're buying, as formulations can change over time. For the most up-to-date information, checking the label is the most reliable method. The availability of a popular, high-quality, and clearly labelled vegan-friendly spread like Olivani makes following a plant-based diet easier for consumers.

Authoritative Outbound Link

For more information on the vegan status of various products and guidance on plant-based living, consult the official website of the Vegan Society of Aotearoa, New Zealand: https://vegansociety.org.nz/butter/.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Olivani Original, Lite, and Avocado spreads are confirmed to be vegan-friendly. These varieties do not contain animal fats or dairy products.

E471 is an emulsifier called mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, which can come from plant or animal sources. In Olivani spreads, the E471 is confirmed to be plant-derived, as the products are clearly labeled as containing no animal fats.

Yes, Olivani can be used in many baking recipes, such as cookies and cakes, as a vegan alternative to butter. However, its performance may differ from butter in high-heat applications like caramel.

Yes, the Olivani Cholesterol Lowering spreads are also dairy-free and suitable for a vegan diet. They contain plant sterols, which are a plant-based ingredient used to help reduce cholesterol.

While Olivani's primary vegetable oil is olive oil, it contains other unspecified vegetable oils. Some previous discussion has noted the use of palm oil, but ethical sourcing can be a concern for some vegans.

The ingredients in Olivani are vegan, but some products are made in facilities that also produce items containing milk. Most vegans are comfortable with this, but it is a consideration for those with severe allergies.

The Vegan Society of Aotearoa, New Zealand lists Olivani spreads as a recommended vegan butter alternative on its website. Additionally, manufacturer product pages often confirm the 'dairy-free' and 'no animal fats' status.