Cheeses
Philadelphia Blueberry Cream Cheese Spread
7.5 oz/212 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in saturated fat
- Contains added sugars
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 33
Philadelphia Blueberry Cream Cheese Spread scores 33 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 6 points 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring, industrial protein, modified starch and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. Emerging
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better cream cheese
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Probiotic cream cheese spread Good Culture · 7 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 46 points higher -
Cream Cheese Spread Organic Valley · 8 oz No added sugars · No sugar Score 72 out of 100 , 39 points higher -
Plain Cream Cheese Spread H-E-B · 8 oz/226 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 46 points higher -
Whipped Cream Cheese Spread Market Basket · 12 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 46 points higher -
Garden veg cream cheese spread Good & Gather · 8 oz/226 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 46 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Blueberry Cream Cheese Spread
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Whey protein concentrate / isolate minus 2.5 points
- Modified starch minus 2.5 points
- Locust bean gum minus 1.5 points
- Guar gum minus 1.5 points
- Color added (not named) minus 1.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 0.5 points
- Xanthan gum minus 0.5 points
- Natamycin minus 0.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 6 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Added sugars 12.1 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Saturated fat 9.1 g / 100 g minus 3.5 points
- Salt 0.8 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 212 kcal / 100 g minus 0.5 points
100 − 67 = 33
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in saturated fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [10]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 212 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 13.6 g |
| Saturated fat | 9.1 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 18.2 g |
| Sugars | 18.2 g |
| Added sugars | 12.1 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 6.1 g |
| Salt | 0.8 g |
Serving: 2 tbsp (33 g)
Ingredients
- PASTEURIZED MILK AND CREAM
- SUGAR (high concern)
- BLUEBERRY PUREE
- WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE
- DRIED BLUEBERRIES
- WATER
- SALT
- MODIFIED FOOD STARCH
- CAROB BEAN GUM
- GUAR GUM
- COLOR ADDED
- NATURAL FLAVOR
- XANTHAN GUM
- NATAMYCIN (A NATURAL MOLD INHIBITOR)
- VITAMIN A PALMITATE
- CHEESE CULTURE
Label text, as published
PASTEURIZED MILK AND CREAM, SUGAR, BLUEBERRY PUREE, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, CONTAINS LESS THAN 29% OF DRIED BLUEBERRIES, WATER, SALT, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, CAROB BEAN GUM, GUAR GUM, COLOR ADDED, NATURAL FLAVOR, XANTHAN GUM, NATAMYCIN (A NATURAL MOLD INHIBITOR), VITAMIN A PALMITATE, CHEESE CULTURE.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Sources
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Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
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
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
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21 CFR 101.22(k) Declaring color additives in the ingredient list
“Color additives not subject to certification and not otherwise required by applicable regulations in part 73 of this chapter to be declared by their respective common or usual names may be declared as “Artificial Color,” “Artificial Color Added,” or “Color Added””
ecfr.gov
-
21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
11. List of Permitted Preservatives (Lists of Permitted Food Additives)
“B.2 Butylated Hydroxyanisole n/a (a) Active dry yeasts (a) Preservative (a) 1,000 ppm n/a”
canada.ca
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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
-
“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
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“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