# Philadelphia Soft Cream Cheese > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Philadelphia - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Dairy - **Size:** 12 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/philadelphia-soft-cream-cheese-12-oz - **Slug:** `philadelphia-soft-cream-cheese-12-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 3** - Processed foods Made from pasteurized milk and cream with salt and starter culture, but also containing additives like guar gum and natamycin; these small industrial ingredients and preservative use classify it as processed (NOVA 3) rather than ultra-processed. ## Review Philadelphia Soft Cream Cheese (12 oz) sits in the refrigerated dairy aisle among other spreads, competing for eye-level space next to tubs of sour cream, flavored cream cheeses, butter and nearby smoked salmon and bagels. Often merchandised with other breakfast and spreadable cheeses, it’s a staple on the same shelf as Neufchâtel and whipped spreads. Shoppers pull it for weekend brunches and bagel runs, for holiday baking like cheesecakes and Danish, and for game-day dip-making or quick weeknight spreads. The brand leans on heritage — “Since 1872” — conveying reliability and Americana; marketing targets broad households who want a creamy, familiar product rather than a niche artisanal audience. Packaging is a small 12-oz refrigerated tub or tub-style container with simple, family-friendly branding rather than kid-focused characters; label copy highlights milk and cream and often notes a “natural” mold inhibitor, but there is no organic certification. On the label you’ll see short ingredient claims that create a mild health halo (milk & cream) despite the presence of stabilizers and preservatives. In plain terms, the product is processed: milk and cream are pasteurized and combined with salt, a culture, a stabilizing gum and a mold inhibitor to achieve a consistent shelf-stable spread. Sensory experience is mild, tangy creaminess — spreadable, silky and dense rather than crumbly — intended for spreading on bagels, folding into frostings, or blending into savory dips. The ritual is tactile and routine: open the tub, smear on warm bread, or whip with sugar for a cheesecake batter, reinforcing its role as an everyday indulgence in American grocery culture. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian - Gluten-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 2 tbsp - **Servings per container:** 11 - **Calories:** 80 - **Total fat:** 7g (9% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 4.5g (23% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 20mg (7% DV) - **Sodium:** 125mg (5% DV) - **Total carbs:** 2g (1% DV) - **Total sugars:** 1g - **Protein:** 2g ## Ingredients PASTEURIZED MILK AND CREAM, SALT, GUAR GUM, NATAMYCIN (A NATURAL MOLD INHIBITOR), CHEESE CULTURE. ## Flagged ingredients - **natamycin** (preservative): Synthetic preservative ## Context tags - **Occasions:** weekend-brunch, holiday-baking, game-day-prep - **Vibes:** indulgent, comforting, nostalgic ## FAQ ### Is Philadelphia Soft Cream Cheese healthy? Well, that depends on your definition of healthy! It’s relatively low in sugar and calories, which is great for those looking to keep things light, but it’s not exactly a powerhouse of nutrition. If you’re pairing it with whole-grain bread or fresh veggies, it can fit nicely into a balanced diet. ### Is it vegan? Nope, Philadelphia Soft Cream Cheese is not vegan. It’s made from pasteurized milk and cream, so if you’re avoiding animal products, you'll want to steer clear of this one. But hey, there are plenty of delicious vegan cream cheese alternatives out there! ### Is it gluten-free? Yes, you can enjoy Philadelphia Soft Cream Cheese without worrying about gluten! It’s a safe choice for anyone with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. Just remember to check the labels of anything you spread it on! ### Does it contain seed oils? Nope, this cream cheese doesn’t have any seed oils lurking in the ingredients. Instead, it focuses on simple ingredients, which is a nice bonus if you're trying to avoid those. So, you can spread away without that concern! ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? Not at all! Philadelphia Soft Cream Cheese skips the artificial sweeteners, letting the natural flavors from the cheese culture shine through. It’s a straightforward product without any sneaky additives, which is refreshing! ### Is it high in sugar? Not even close! With only 1 gram of sugar per serving, this cream cheese is definitely on the low end of the sugar spectrum. So, you can enjoy it guilt-free, especially if you're keeping an eye on your sugar intake. ### What are healthier alternatives? If you’re looking for alternatives, try Greek yogurt or cottage cheese for a protein boost, or a nut-based cream cheese for a dairy-free option. There are also some brands that offer lighter cream cheese spreads with fewer calories and more nutrients. It really depends on what you're after! ### Can kids eat it? Absolutely! Philadelphia Soft Cream Cheese can be a fun and tasty addition to kids' snacks. Just spread it on whole grain bread or use it as a dip for fruits and veggies to make it a bit healthier and more appealing. ### Is it good for weight loss? In moderation, it can definitely fit into a weight loss plan! With only 80 calories per two tablespoons, it's a lighter option compared to many other spreads. Just be mindful of portion sizes, especially if you're adding it to other calorie-dense foods. ### Is it ultra-processed? While Philadelphia Soft Cream Cheese does contain a few ingredients that classify it as processed, it’s not ultra-processed in the way that some snacks or ready meals are. It has a fairly short ingredient list, which is a plus if you’re aiming for something less complicated in your diet. ## Related products - [Yoplait Original 99% Fat Free Strawberry Yogurt](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/yoplait-original-99-fat-free-strawberry-yogurt-6-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/yoplait-original-99-fat-free-strawberry-yogurt-6-oz - [Noosa Yoghurt, Lemon](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/noosa-yoghurt-lemon-8-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/noosa-yoghurt-lemon-8-oz - [Stonyfield Organic Kids Vanilla Whole Milk Yogurt, 3.5 oz Pouch](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/stonyfield-organic-kids-vanilla-whole-milk-yogurt-35-oz-pouch-350-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/stonyfield-organic-kids-vanilla-whole-milk-yogurt-35-oz-pouch-350-oz - [Sargento® Ultra Thin® Natural Sharp Cheddar Sliced Cheese, 18 Slices, 6.4 oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/sargento-ultra-thin-natural-sharp-cheddar-sliced-cheese-18-slices-64-oz-684-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/sargento-ultra-thin-natural-sharp-cheddar-sliced-cheese-18-slices-64-oz-684-oz - [Stonyfield Organic Lowfat French Vanilla Yogurt](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/stonyfield-organic-lowfat-french-vanilla-yogurt-32-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/stonyfield-organic-lowfat-french-vanilla-yogurt-32-oz - [Sabrett Bun Sized Beef Franks](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/sabrett-bun-sized-beef-franks-14-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/sabrett-bun-sized-beef-franks-14-oz - [Silk Almond Milk, Unsweetened Vanilla](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/silk-almond-milk-unsweetened-vanilla-64-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/silk-almond-milk-unsweetened-vanilla-64-oz - [I Cant Believe It's Not Butter Bowl, 15 Oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/i-cant-believe-its-not-butter-i-cant-believe-its-not-butter-bowl-15-oz-15-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/i-cant-believe-its-not-butter-i-cant-believe-its-not-butter-bowl-15-oz-15-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. Full API access and search: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/skill.md