3 gum types (guar, carob/locust bean, xanthan), plus preservative and added acid.
Grade
DFull check
−38 points
Vegetarian-friendly. No animal-derived rennet, enzymes or meat/fish listed.
Ingredients, in label order
Explain every ingredient
- Pasteurized milk and cream — Core cream cheese. Core cream cheese ingredient.
- cheese culture — Core cream cheese. Core cream cheese ingredient.
- salt — Core cream cheese. Core cream cheese ingredient.
- guar gum — Red flag. Gum/stabilizer (guar). Thickens a cream cheese that wasn't cultured or drained long enough to hold its shape.
- citric acid — Watch. Added acid, used for tang instead of longer culturing.
- carob bean gum — Red flag. Gum/stabilizer (carob/locust bean). Thickens a cream cheese that wasn't cultured or drained long enough to hold its shape.
- xanthan gum — Red flag. Gum/stabilizer (xanthan). Thickens a cream cheese that wasn't cultured or drained long enough to hold its shape.
- natamycin (a natural mold inhibitor) — Red flag. Natamycin: an antifungal preservative. Labeled “natural,” but it's there to extend shelf life.
Score breakdown
| Starting score | 100 |
| 3 gum types (guar, carob/locust bean, xanthan) | −27 |
| Preservative | −9 |
| Added acid | −2 |
| Score | 62 → D |
|---|
Where to buy
| Store | Size | Price | Per oz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target | 8 oz | $1.99 | $0.25/oz |