Philadelphia Cheese Spread (Original)

Common questions

Is Philadelphia Cheese Spread (Original) healthy?

Philadelphia Cheese Spread (Original) scores 65/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a fair-to-good score — solid, with tradeoffs. This cheese spread contains beneficial ingredients such as pasteurized cow's milk, cream, and whey, which provide essential nutrients like calcium and protein.

How processed is Philadelphia Cheese Spread (Original)?

Philadelphia Cheese Spread (Original) is NOVA Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods.

Which ingredients drive Philadelphia Cheese Spread (Original)'s score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Lactic Culture counts in its favor; Thickener (E412) is flagged as an ingredient of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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Philadelphia Cheese Spread (Original)

Philadelphia
65 Fair

Analysis updated August 2026 · How Scout scores

$3.49 · 8 oz · $0.44 / ounce
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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 1
Harmful ingredients 1
Owned by Kraft Heinz
Category Cheese
Summary

This cheese spread contains beneficial ingredients such as pasteurized cow's milk, cream, and whey, which provide essential nutrients like calcium and protein. However, it is classified as ultra-processed due to the presence of additives like thickener and acid, which limits its score. Despite having a relatively clean ingredient list, the level of processing impacts its overall healthiness.

Key ingredients 7

Lactic Culture
Good

Lactic cultures promote fermentation and flavor development, supporting natural dairy processes.

See more about Lactic Culture →
PASTEURIZED COW'S MILK
Neutral

This ingredient is a common dairy base that provides essential nutrients but is processed to ensure safety and longevity.

See more about PASTEURIZED COW'S MILK →
Cream (from Cow's Milk)
Neutral

Cream adds richness and flavor to the product, derived from dairy but processed for consistency.

Whey
Neutral

Whey is a byproduct of cheese making that supplies protein and contributes to texture without added health concerns.

See more about Whey →
Salt
Neutral

Standard formulation ingredient — neither beneficial nor harmful at typical use.

See more about Salt →
Acid (E330)
Neutral

E330 (citric acid) is used to regulate acidity and preserve freshness, common in processed foods.

Thickener (E412)
Bad

E412 is an additive used to improve texture, but some consumers prefer to avoid processed thickeners due to potential sensitivities.

Processing

Group 4 · Ultra-processed

Ultra-Processed Foods

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