1 gum type (carob/locust bean).
Grade
BFull check
−15 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.
- salt — Core cream cheese. Core cream cheese ingredient.
- 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.
- cheese culture — Core cream cheese. Core cream cheese ingredient.
Score breakdown
| Starting score | 100 |
| 1 gum type (carob/locust bean) | −15 |
| Score | 85 → B |
|---|
Where to buy
| Store | Size | Price | Per oz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | 16 oz | $4.86 | $0.30/oz |
| Target | 16 oz | $5.19 | $0.32/oz |
| Target | 8 oz | $2.99 | $0.37/oz |
| Ralphs | 16 oz | $7.29 | $0.46/oz |
| Ralphs | 8 oz | $4.79 | $0.60/oz |
Shopper notes
- The simplest mainstream block: one gum, no preservative.
- Same block costs $2.99 at Target and $4.79 at Ralphs.