2 gum types (carob/locust bean, guar), plus preservative, added sugar, whey protein concentrate, natural flavor, vitamin a palmitate and yeast extract.
Grade
DFull check
−48 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.
- whey protein concentrate — Watch. Whey protein concentrate: added milk protein that firms the texture. Not in traditional cream cheese.
- jalapeño peppers — Real-food add-in. Real-food ingredient.
- salt — Core cream cheese. Core cream cheese ingredient.
- vinegar — Real-food add-in. Real-food ingredient.
- dried jalapeño peppers — Real-food add-in. Real-food ingredient.
- garlic juice — Real-food add-in. Real-food ingredient.
- dried onions — Real-food add-in. Real-food 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.
- guar gum — Red flag. Gum/stabilizer (guar). Thickens a cream cheese that wasn't cultured or drained long enough to hold its shape.
- sugar — Watch. Added sugar.
- yeast extract — Watch. Yeast extract: a flavor enhancer.
- dried green bell peppers — Real-food add-in. Real-food ingredient.
- dried garlic — Real-food add-in. Real-food ingredient.
- spices (contains celery) — Real-food add-in. Real-food ingredient.
- dried tomato — Real-food add-in. Real-food ingredient.
- natural flavor — Watch. “Natural flavor”: an undisclosed flavoring blend.
- natamycin (a natural mold inhibitor) — Red flag. Natamycin: an antifungal preservative. Labeled “natural,” but it's there to extend shelf life.
- vitamin A palmitate — Watch. Vitamin A palmitate: added back after fat is reduced.
- cheese culture — Core cream cheese. Core cream cheese ingredient.
Score breakdown
| Starting score | 100 |
| 2 gum types (carob/locust bean, guar) | −21 |
| Preservative | −9 |
| Added sugar | −5 |
| Whey protein concentrate | −5 |
| Natural flavor | −3 |
| Vitamin A palmitate | −2 |
| Yeast extract | −3 |
| Score | 52 → D |
|---|
Where to buy
| Store | Size | Price | Per oz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target | 7.5 oz | $3.49 | $0.47/oz |
| Ralphs | 7.5 oz | $4.49 | $0.60/oz |