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The Laughing Cow Original
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Cream cheeses

The Laughing Cow Original

8

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • High in saturated fat
  • Seed-oil free
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Why it scores 63

The Laughing Cow Original scores 63 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. Salt 2.1 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
  3. Saturated fat 13.2 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 spreadable cheese

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

The Receipt

Original

START100

Ingredients

  • Milk protein concentrate / isolate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Sodium hexametaphosphate
    Strong EFSA (2019) set a group ADI for phosphates of 40 mg/kg body weight (as phosphorus) and noted that infants, toddlers and children may exceed it. [2]
  • Calcium phosphate
    Strong EFSA (2019) set a group ADI for phosphates of 40 mg/kg body weight (as phosphorus) and noted that infants, toddlers and children may exceed it. [2]
subtotal−7.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [1]
  • 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: industrial protein and sequestrant. [1]
subtotal−19.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 13.2 g / 100 g
    Strong High in saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [3]
  • Salt 2.1 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [4]
  • Energy 237 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [5]
  • Protein 10.5 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [5]
subtotal−10
TOTAL 63Good

100 − 37 = 63

Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [6]

GTIN 00041757025410 · 2026-08-13

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy237 kcal
Fat18.4 g
Saturated fat13.2 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates5.3 g
Sugars5.3 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein10.5 g
Salt2.1 g

Serving: 1 wedge (19 g)

Ingredients

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

CHEDDAR, SEMISOFT, AND SWISS CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK AND PART-SKIM MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), WHEY, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, BUTTER (CREAM), WATER, SKIM MILK, SODIUM POLYPHOSPHATE, LESS THAN 2% OF EACH: TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, CITRIC ACID, MILK FAT, SALT, VITAMINS (CHOLECALCIFEROL [VITAMIN D] AND VITAMIN A ACETATE)

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk

  • Not vegan
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest cream cheeses in the US

More from The Laughing Cow

Sources

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. EFSA issues new advice on phosphates

    European Food Safety Authority · Jun 12, 2019 · Agency assessment

    “We estimated that dietary exposure to phosphates may exceed the new ADI for infants, toddlers and children with average consumption of phosphates in their diet.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  3. 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

  4. Sodium reduction (fact sheet)

    World Health Organization · May 11, 2026 · Agency assessment

    “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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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