Cheeses
Philadelphia Cream Cheese Spread
15.5 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in saturated fat
Why it scores 60
Philadelphia Cream Cheese Spread scores 60 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 5 points Salt 1.2 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong
- minus 4.5 points Saturated fat 14.5 g / 100 g: High in saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better cream cheese
-
Cream Cheese Spread Plain Good Culture · 7 oz Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 90 out of 100 , 30 points higher -
Plain Cream Cheese Spread Good & Gather Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 89 out of 100 , 29 points higher -
Probiotic cream cheese spread Good Culture · 7 oz Not ultra-processed · No locust bean gum Score 79 out of 100 , 19 points higher -
Plain Cream Cheese Spread H-E-B · 8 oz/226 g Not ultra-processed Score 79 out of 100 , 19 points higher -
Garden veg cream cheese spread Good & Gather · 8 oz/226 g Not ultra-processed Score 79 out of 100 , 19 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Cream Cheese Spread
Ingredients
- Whey protein concentrate / isolate minus 2.5 points
- Locust bean gum minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
- Natamycin minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 14.5 g / 100 g minus 4.5 points
- Salt 1.2 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Energy 258 kcal / 100 g minus 0.5 points
100 − 40 = 60
Can’t score above 79. High in fat and saturated fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [7]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 258 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 22.6 g |
| Saturated fat | 14.5 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6.5 g |
| Sugars | 3.2 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 6.5 g |
| Salt | 1.2 g |
Serving: 2 thsp (31 g)
Ingredients
- PASTEURIZED MILK AND CREAM
- WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE
- WHEY
- SALT
- DRIED CHIVES
- CAROB BEAN GUM
- DRIED ONIONS
- NATURAL FLAVOR
- NATAMYCIN (A NATURAL MOLD INHIBITOR)
- VITAMIN A PALMITATE
- CHEESE CULTURE
Label text, as published
PASTEURIZED MILK AND CREAM, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, WHEY, SALT, DRIED CHIVES, CAROB BEAN GUM, DRIED ONIONS, NATURAL FLAVOR, 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.
More cheeses on GoodSwap
-
Light Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges The Laughing Cow · 8 × 19 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fat Score 66 out of 100 Good -
Low Fat Cottage Cheese Darigold · 113 g Ultra-processedContains emulsifiers studied for gut effectsMay contain traces of 1,4-dioxane Score 57 out of 100 Okay -
String Cheese Frigo Cheese Heads · 28 g High in saltHigh in saturated fat Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Natural Mild Sliced Cheddar Cheese Sargento · 21 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatNo synthetic dyes Score 76 out of 100 Good -
Black Truffle Infused Olive Oil Truff · 6 fl oz No additivesSeed-oil free Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Organic Valley Ricotta Cheese CROPP Cooperative · 15 oz High in saturated fatCertified organicNo additives Score 79 out of 100 Good
More from Philadelphia
Sources
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
“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