Cream cheeses
Trader Joe's Soft Spreadable Light Cream Cheese
12 oz (340 g)
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in saturated fat
Why it scores 65
Trader Joe's Soft Spreadable Light Cream Cheese scores 65 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 3.5 points Saturated fat 10 g / 100 g: High in saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. Strong
- minus 3 points Salt 0.8 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better cream cheese
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Cream Cheese Miyoko’s · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 96 out of 100 , 31 points higher -
Cream Cheese Spread Plain Good Culture · 7 oz Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 90 out of 100 , 25 points higher -
Plain Cream Cheese Spread Good & Gather Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 89 out of 100 , 24 points higher -
Credo Cashew Cream Cheese Credo · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 91 out of 100 , 26 points higher -
Cream cheese The Fresh Market Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 97 out of 100 , 32 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Soft Spreadable Light Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- Whey protein concentrate / isolate minus 2.5 points
- Vegetable gums (unspecified) minus 2.5 points
- Xanthan gum minus 2.5 points
- Locust bean gum minus 1.5 points
- Guar gum minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 10 g / 100 g minus 3.5 points
- Salt 0.8 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 233 kcal / 100 g minus 0.5 points
- Protein 10 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 35 = 65
Can’t score above 79. High in saturated fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [5]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 233 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 15 g |
| Saturated fat | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 16.7 g |
| Sugars | 13.3 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 10 g |
| Salt | 0.8 g |
Serving: 1 portion (30 g)
Ingredients
- Pasteurized Skim Milk
- Pasteurized Cream
- Whey Proteins
- Citric and Lactic Acids (not recognized)
- Salt
- Gums (Xanthan, Locust Bean, Guar)
- Microbial Rennet
Label text, as published
Pasteurized Skim Milk, Pasteurized Cream, Whey Proteins, Citric and Lactic Acids, Salt, Gums (Xanthan, Locust Bean, Guar), Microbial Rennet. MADE IN FACILITY THAT PROCESSES TREE NUTS AND FISH
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Fish
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Packaging
Pp 5 polypropylene
Context only: no points in v1.
More cream cheeses on GoodSwap
-
Cream Cheese Philadelphia · 8 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fat Score 77 out of 100 Good -
Original Cream Cheese Tillamook · 7 oz/198 g Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fatNo additives Score 71 out of 100 Good -
Original The Laughing Cow · 8 Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatSeed-oil free Score 63 out of 100 Good -
Cream Cheese Kirkland Signature · 48 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fat Score 66 out of 100 Good -
Cream Cheese Spread Great Value · 12 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fat Score 63 out of 100 Good -
Organic Cream Cheese Spread Clover Sonoma · 8 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fatCertified organic Score 69 out of 100 Good
More from Trader Joe's
Sources
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Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
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“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
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Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
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“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
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“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org