Kamil Perry
Philadelphia Cream Cheese, a popular brand of processed cheese, comes in a variety of flavors and textures, including the original, soft, and whipped varieties. It is also available in tubs, bricks, and loaves. The brand's original cream cheese is made with fresh milk and real cream and is claimed to be gluten-free. The Philadelphia website's FAQ page confirms that their cream cheese is considered gluten-free. However, it is important to be cautious of gluten cross-contamination, especially when using shared condiments or utensils. The brand also offers a reduced-fat cream cheese option, which is also gluten-free and known as Neufchatel cheese. Neufchatel cheese is believed to be gluten-free, as no gluten ingredients are listed on the label.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Philadelphia Neufchatel Cheese Gluten-Free? | Yes |
| Ingredients | Pasteurized milk and cream, cheese culture, salt, stabilizers (carob bean and/or xanthan and/or carrageenan gums) |
| Gluten-Free Ingredients | Carob bean gum, cheese culture, xanthan gum, guar gum |
| Gluten-Free Varieties | Plain whipped |
| Gluten-Free Concerns | Cross-contamination, shared utensils |
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What You'll Learn
Philadelphia Cream Cheese Website FAQ
Yes, Philadelphia cream cheese is considered gluten-free. All cream cheese products by Philadelphia are considered gluten-free by the brand. Philadelphia's UK website also states that the cream cheese "does not contain gluten".
Any snack or dessert packs with the words "chips" or "crumble" are not gluten-free.
Philadelphia Original Neufchatel Cheese is made with fresh milk and real cream. It contains 1/3 less fat than the original cream cheese. It is also free from preservatives. This product is suitable for cooking and baking. Philadelphia Neufchatel Cheese is gluten-free as it does not contain any gluten ingredients.
If you live with gluten-eaters, you can separate gluten-free items with a label. You can also keep separate tubs of cream cheese for gluten-eaters and non-gluten-eaters to avoid cross-contamination.
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Gluten-Free Ingredients
Gluten-free diets have become increasingly common, and for those who follow them, it is essential to know which ingredients are safe to consume. Gluten is a protein found in most wheat products and acts as a binder to maintain the shape of wheat, barley, rye, and other grains. It is also commonly found in processed foods.
When it comes to Philadelphia Neufchatel Cheese, the product is considered gluten-free. The ingredients listed for Philadelphia Original Neufchatel Cheese are pasteurized milk and cream, cheese culture, salt, and stabilizers (carob bean, xanthan, and/or carrageenan gums). Carob bean gum, also known as locust bean gum, is derived from the seeds of the carob tree and is gluten-free. Cheese culture refers to specific bacteria strains used in cheesemaking, which are also gluten-free. The reduced-fat version of Philadelphia Neufchatel Cheese contains additional ingredients like xanthan gum and guar gum, both of which are gluten-free.
While the cheese itself is gluten-free, it's important to consider the possibility of cross-contamination. Condiments like cream cheese are often used with shared utensils, which can introduce crumbs of gluten into the original container. To avoid this, it's recommended to label gluten-free items clearly and have separate containers for gluten-free and gluten-containing foods.
In addition to Philadelphia, there are other brands of cream cheese that offer gluten-free options. Organic Valley, for example, offers both cream cheese and Neufchatel cheese that are free from gluten-containing ingredients. Tillamook is another brand recommended for its spreadable cream cheese, with flavors like Original, Strawberry, Verry Veggies, and Chive and Onion, all of which are free of gluten-containing ingredients.
When incorporating cream cheese into a gluten-free diet, it's essential to ensure that the accompanying foods are also gluten-free. For example, traditional bagels contain gluten, so opting for gluten-free bagels is crucial. By being mindful of both the ingredients and potential cross-contamination, individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can safely enjoy cream cheese as part of their gluten-free diet.
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Kraft Brand Alternatives
Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese is generally considered gluten-free, and its plain varieties are safe for those with celiac disease. However, if you are seeking alternatives to the Kraft brand, there are a few options available.
Organic Valley
Organic Valley offers both block-style cream cheese and Neufchatel cheese that are free from gluten-containing ingredients. Their products are excellent for baking and provide a good alternative to the Kraft brand.
Tillamook
Tillamook provides a spreadable cream cheese with four flavors: Original, Strawberry, Verry Veggies, and Chive and Onion. These flavors are free of gluten-containing ingredients and are produced without equipment shared with wheat or other gluten-containing products.
Homemade Vegan Cream Cheese
For those interested in vegan options, you can make your own homemade vegan cream cheese, which is naturally gluten-free.
It is important to note that while cream cheese is typically gluten-free, cross-contamination can occur after purchase if utensils with gluten crumbs are used with the cream cheese. Therefore, it is advisable to label gluten-free items clearly and keep them separate from gluten-containing foods to minimize the risk of cross-contamination.
In addition to the above-mentioned brands, other companies that offer alternatives to Kraft products include Keurig Dr Pepper, Land O'Lakes, Mars, General Mills, Kellanova, Kerry, Danone, Nestle, Fonterra, Uni-President China Holdings, and Daesang Holdings. These companies offer a range of products in the beverage, confectionery, pet nutrition, and food sectors, providing diverse alternatives to Kraft's portfolio.
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Gluten-Free Diet Concerns
Philadelphia Original Neufchatel Cheese is gluten-free, according to the product's label. The product is made with pasteurized milk and cream, cheese culture, salt, and stabilizers (carob bean and/or xanthan and/or carrageenan gums). Carob bean gum, also known as locust bean gum, is derived from the seeds of the carob tree and is gluten-free. Cheese culture refers to specific bacteria strains used in cheesemaking, which are also gluten-free.
The reduced-fat version of Philadelphia Neufchatel Cheese, containing one-third less fat, includes additional ingredients like xanthan gum and guar gum, both of which are gluten-free. This variety is marketed as ideal for cooking and baking, adding to cheesecakes, or using as a frosting ingredient.
While the product itself is gluten-free, there are valid concerns about gluten cross-contamination after purchase. Condiments like cream cheese are often used with shared utensils that can transfer crumbs of gluten into the original container. To maintain a strict gluten-free diet, it is recommended to label gluten-free items clearly, keep them separate from gluten-containing foods, and use them exclusively with gluten-free baked goods or spreads.
Additionally, not all flavors and variations of cream cheese are gluten-free. It is essential to read labels and ingredient lists carefully. For instance, Philadelphia Cream Cheese snack or dessert packs with the words "chips" or "crumble" in their names are not gluten-free.
If you are seeking alternatives to Philadelphia Cream Cheese, there are gluten-free options available. Organic Valley offers both cream cheese and Neufchatel cheese that are free from gluten-containing ingredients and suitable for baking. For a spreadable cream cheese, Tillamook provides four flavors: Original, Strawberry, Verry Veggies, and Chive and Onion, which are all gluten-free and produced without shared equipment with wheat or other gluten-containing ingredients.
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Gluten-Free on Label
Kraft's Philadelphia Original Neufchatel Cheese is labelled gluten-free. The product is made with pasteurized milk and cream, cheese culture, salt, and stabilizers (carob bean and/or xanthan and/or carrageenan gums). Carob bean gum, also known as locust bean gum, is derived from the seeds of the carob tree and is gluten-free. Cheese culture refers to specific bacteria strains used in cheesemaking, which are also gluten-free. The additional ingredients in the reduced-fat version, xanthan gum and guar gum, are also gluten-free.
Philadelphia Cream Cheese's FAQ page affirms that their cream cheese products are considered gluten-free. However, it is important to note that not all flavors and variations of cream cheese are necessarily gluten-free. The plain varieties of full-fat Philadelphia cream cheese and its 1/3 less fat cousin, Neufchatel, are gluten-free. The regular and whipped varieties are also gluten-free.
On the other hand, any snack or dessert packs with the words "chips" or "crumble" are not gluten-free. The biggest concern with cream cheese is cross-contamination, which can occur when a shared knife or spoon deposits crumbs of gluten into the original container. To maintain a gluten-free diet, it is recommended to label gluten-free items clearly, keep separate containers for gluten-free and gluten-containing foods, and ensure that other ingredients used in conjunction with cream cheese are also gluten-free.
While Philadelphia Cream Cheese claims that their products are gluten-free, some sources suggest that the presence of gluten-containing ingredients in other flavors or cross-contamination during manufacturing processes may be a concern for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Therefore, it is always advisable to carefully review the ingredient list and allergen information on the product label, and contact the manufacturer if necessary, to make an informed decision regarding your specific dietary needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Philadelphia Neufchatel Cheese is gluten-free. The product is also yeast, barley, corn, egg, fish, and oat-free.
Philadelphia Neufchatel Cheese is made from pasteurized milk and cream, cheese culture, salt, and stabilizers (carob bean and/or xanthan and/or carrageenan gums).
Cream cheese is generally gluten-free, but not all flavours and variations are GF.
Organic Valley and Tillamook are two gluten-free alternatives to Philadelphia Cream Cheese.
Gluten-free bagels and baked goods are great options to spread cream cheese on.
