What is Becel Made Out Of? Exploring its Plant-Based Ingredients

November 25, 2025 •

3 min read

Did you know that Becel was first developed in the 1960s in response to a call for a heart-healthier alternative to butter? This popular margarine spread is made predominantly from a blend of plant-based oils, including canola and sunflower, combined with water and other ingredients to create a smooth, spreadable product.

Quick Summary

Becel is a margarine spread composed primarily of a blend of plant-based oils and water, fortified with vitamins A and D, and other additives like emulsifiers and flavorings. Its specific formulation varies by product line, with key differences in ingredients like palm oil, buttermilk, or added plant sterols.

Key Points

Core Composition: Becel is an emulsion primarily made from a blend of vegetable oils (canola, sunflower, palm) and water.
Fortified Vitamins: It is fortified with fat-soluble vitamins like A and D to boost its nutritional value.
Variety in Ingredients: Specific product lines, such as Becel Vegan and Becel Light, feature variations in ingredients like dairy components and water content.
Zero Trans Fat: The modern production process, which avoids hydrogenation, results in a final product with zero trans fat per serving.
Heart-Healthy Additives: Specialized products like Becel ProActiv contain added plant sterols, which are clinically shown to help lower cholesterol.
Manufacturing Process: Production involves emulsifying oil and water, followed by rapid cooling and crystallization to achieve its solid, spreadable texture.

Core Ingredients of Becel

At its heart, Becel is an oil-and-water emulsion. The precise combination of ingredients can vary depending on the specific product, but the foundational components are consistent across most varieties.

Primary Oils

Becel's primary ingredient is a blend of vegetable oils, providing the fat content and consistency. For many Canadian products, canola oil is the main component, often comprising over 70% of the formulation. Other plant oils used can include:

Sunflower oil
Linseed (flaxseed) oil
Rapeseed oil
Palm and modified palm kernel oils for texture and stability
Avocado oil and olive oil are also used in specific product lines

Water

As an emulsion, water is a crucial ingredient that gives the spread its soft texture and spreadability right out of the refrigerator. The water content varies depending on the product; for example, Becel Light contains 60% water to reduce calories, while Becel Original has a lower percentage.

Additives and Fortifications

To complete the product, manufacturers add a range of other ingredients that provide flavour, colour, and nutritional benefits.

Common additives:

Emulsifiers: Ingredients like soy lecithin help to bind the oil and water together, preventing them from separating.
Salt: A small amount of salt is added for flavour. Salt-free versions are also available.
Natural Flavours: Used to replicate a buttery taste.
Beta Carotene: A natural colouring agent that gives the spread its yellow hue.
Acids: Lactic acid or citric acid are used as preservatives and for flavour.
Preservatives: Some varieties may include preservatives like potassium sorbate to extend shelf life.

Fortifications:

Vitamins: Becel is fortified with essential fat-soluble vitamins, such as Vitamin A and Vitamin D. Becel Light is also fortified with Vitamin E.
Plant Sterols: The Becel ProActiv line is specifically formulated with plant sterols, which are known to help lower cholesterol levels.

Becel Product Variations: What's the Difference?

Becel offers several different product lines, each with a slightly different formulation tailored to specific dietary needs or preferences. Here's a look at how some popular products differ in composition.

Comparison Table: Becel Product Variations


Ingredient Category	Becel Original	Becel Vegan	Becel Light	Becel ProActiv
Primary Oils	Canola, modified palm & palm kernel oils	Canola, modified palm & palm kernel oils	Canola, modified palm & palm kernel oils	Sunflower, palm, linseed, rapeseed oils
Water Content	Standard	Standard	High (approx. 60%)	Varies by region
Dairy Content	Contains buttermilk powder	None (Dairy-free)	Contains whey powder	Varies by region; often contains milk ingredients
Special Additives	Vitamins A & D3	Vitamins A & D2	Vitamins A, D3 & E	Plant sterols
Targeted Benefit	General spread	Vegan-friendly	Reduced calories	Lowering cholesterol

The Production Process: From Oil to Spread

The creation of Becel involves a modern manufacturing process that transforms liquid vegetable oils into a solid, spreadable product. The process is a careful balancing act of mixing and chilling to create a stable emulsion.

Preparation of Phases: First, the oil-soluble and water-soluble ingredients are prepared separately. The liquid oils, emulsifiers (like soy lecithin), flavourings, and fat-soluble vitamins are combined in the oil phase. The water, salt, flavourings, and water-soluble milk products (if any) are prepared in the water phase.
Emulsification: The two phases are then blended together under high pressure. This step is critical for creating a stable emulsion, where tiny water droplets are dispersed evenly throughout the oil phase.
Cooling and Crystallization: The mixture is rapidly cooled. This forces the product to crystallize into its solid form, which gives the margarine its desired texture. Unlike older processes that used hydrogenation, modern methods for creating soft tub margarines like Becel avoid trans fats.
Packaging: The finished product is kneaded and packaged into its final tubs or bricks.

Conclusion

In summary, Becel is a plant-based margarine spread derived primarily from a blend of vegetable oils, such as canola, sunflower, and palm oil, combined with water. The inclusion of emulsifiers, natural flavours, and fortified vitamins creates a buttery-tasting product that is lower in saturated fat than butter. Variations of the product cater to different dietary needs, with options like Becel Vegan for a dairy-free alternative and Becel ProActiv featuring added plant sterols for cholesterol management. The modern manufacturing process ensures a product with zero trans fat per serving, aligning with heart-healthy dietary guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some versions of Becel, like the Becel Original, contain buttermilk powder, so they are not dairy-free. However, the Becel Vegan product is specifically made without dairy ingredients and is certified plant-based.

Becel margarine is lower in saturated fat and contains no cholesterol compared to butter, which is an animal-based fat. According to health experts, replacing saturated fats with the mono- and polyunsaturated fats found in Becel can contribute to a heart-healthy diet.

For many versions of Becel, such as the Canadian Original and Vegan spreads, canola oil is the primary ingredient, comprising a high percentage of the oil blend.

Becel uses a small amount of palm and modified palm kernel oil to help give the spread its solid, smooth, and spreadable texture. The company states that its palm oil is sustainably sourced.

Yes, standard Becel margarine is cholesterol-free as it is made entirely from plant-based oils. It is also formulated to contain no trans fat per serving.

The main difference is the source of fat: Becel uses plant-based vegetable oils, while butter is made from animal-based milk or cream. This gives Becel a different nutritional profile, with lower saturated fat and no cholesterol.

Plant sterols are naturally occurring substances found in plant foods that help block the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. They are added to the Becel ProActiv product line to help lower blood cholesterol levels as part of a healthy diet.