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Philadelphia Cream Cheese
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Cream cheeses

Philadelphia Cream Cheese

8 oz

Good out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in saturated fat
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Why it scores 77

Philadelphia Cream Cheese scores 77 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  2. Locust bean gum: An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). Info
  3. Saturated fat 6 g / 100 g: Contains some 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

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

Cream Cheese

START100

Ingredients

  • Locust bean gum
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
subtotal−2.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [1]
subtotal−18

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 6 g / 100 g
    Strong Contains some saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [2]
subtotal−2.5
TOTAL 77Good

100 − 23 = 77

Can’t score above 79. High in saturated fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [3]

GTIN 00021000612239 · 2026-07-05

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy100 kcal
Fat10 g
Saturated fat6 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates3.5 g
Sugars1 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein2 g
Salt0.3 g

Serving: 1 Serving (28 g)

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

Ingredients PASTEURIZED MILK AND CREAM, SALT, CAROB BEAN GUM, CHEESE CULTURE

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk

  • Not vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest cream cheeses in the US

More from Philadelphia

Sources

  1. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

    World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

    who.int

  3. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

  4. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “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

  5. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  6. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov