2 gum types (carob/locust bean, guar), plus preservative, whey protein concentrate and vitamin a palmitate.
Grade
DFull check
−37 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.
- 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.
- guar gum — Red flag. Gum/stabilizer (guar). 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.
- 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 |
| Whey protein concentrate | −5 |
| Vitamin A palmitate | −2 |
| Score | 63 → D |
|---|
Where to buy
| Store | Size | Price | Per oz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target | 16 oz | $6.19 | $0.39/oz |
| Target | 8 oz | $3.49 | $0.44/oz |
| Ralphs | 8 oz | $4.49 | $0.56/oz |