365 by Whole Foods Market Whipped Cream Cheese — OKAY

Munch or Dump rates 365 by Whole Foods Market Whipped Cream Cheese by 365 by Whole Foods Market OKAY — score 58/90.

The base is genuine cream cheese: pasteurized milk, cream, cheese culture and salt. But to hold the airy whipped texture it stacks three gums (guar, carob bean, xanthan), which is what lands it at NOVA 4. It is a perfectly fine spread, just more processed than the 'restaurant-quality, simple' reputation implies.

Why this verdict

• Real dairy base: pasteurized milk, cream, cheese culture, and salt
• Three stabilizer gums stacked (guar, carob bean, xanthan) to whip and hold texture
• The gum stack, not the dairy, is why it flags as NOVA 4
• High saturated fat (about 20g per 100g)
• No added sugar and no artificial colors or preservatives

Ingredients (6)

• PASTEURIZED MILK AND CREAM (safe) — Real dairy base of the cream cheese.
• Cheese Culture] (safe) — Beneficial bacteria that ferment the milk into cheese.
• Salt (moderate) — Used in moderation, might exceed necessary amount.
• Guar Gum (moderate) — Used as a firming agent or conditioner; not necessary.
• Carob bean gum (safe) — Plant-derived stabilizer for smooth texture.
• Xanthan Gum (moderate) — Industrial thickener.