PHILADELPHIA CREAM CHEESE

RAPID REVIEW

May 2024

The classic Philadelphia Cream Cheese Brick was introduced in 1939 and the product was positioned for breakfast:

Today, Philadelphia Cream Cheese is owned by Kraft Heinz and is the #1 Cream Cheese in the U.S.

Although both are designated as “Original”, the Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese in the Brick — below left — has five ingredients while there are 13 ingredients in Philadelphia Original Whipped Cream Cheese Spread — below right.

Philadelphia Original in the Brick is not certified as Closest To Homemade because it contains added Carob Bean Gum which is Not In Kitchen™ when making homemade Cream Cheese.

WHEYS and GUMS in the SPREAD: Added to give the product a softer, spreadable consistency.

PRESERVATIVES in the SPREAD: Added to keep the product fresher longer since the Cream Cheese has greater exposure to oxygen while it is in use; once the lid is open, the entire surface is exposed to oxygen and the lid usually stays off for a minute or more. (Source for ingredients: Kraft Heinz Philadelphia Cream Cheese Web site 5/24)

Seen below, these Flavored Philadelphia Cream Cheese Spreads contain way more than just the ingredient noted in the flavor descriptor including added Sugar:

CLOSEST TO HOMEMADE: Following are some Cream Cheeses made with only the type of ingredients we would use at home. These include offerings from the Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, Russ & Daughters based in Manhattan, and Nancy’s with added Probiotic Cultures.

*Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list*

Discover more food + beverages whose ingredients are Closest To Homemade in 275+ categories. Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list.

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