Is Plant Based Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Philadelphia
Plant Based Chive & Onion Cream Cheese is a dairy from Philadelphia. It has a Zerotox safety score of 60/100, which means it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The main ingredients worth reviewing are Sorbic Acid.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes water, coconut oil, and modified potato starch, which are common in plant-based products. However, the presence of maltodextrin and sorbic acid as a preservative raises concerns about processing and synthetic additives, impacting the overall quality and safety assessment.
Main concern
Modified potato starch is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns about its impact on digestion and overall health.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Contains dried chives and dried onion, which provide natural flavor and contribute to the product's taste profile.
- Coconut oil is a plant-based fat that adds creaminess and is generally accepted in vegan diets.
Concerns
- Modified potato starch is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns about its impact on digestion and overall health.
- Sorbic acid is a synthetic preservative that indicates a level of processing and may be viewed negatively by consumers preferring natural ingredients.
Ingredients breakdown
Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this dairy so the page answers more than a simple label list.
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Is Water safe in this dairy?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as the primary solvent in this cream cheese, providing the necessary moisture for texture and consistency.
Role in formula: base
Original: water
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Is Coconut Oil safe in this dairy?
Medium
Coconut Oil is used here as base. Coconut oil is a plant-based fat that contributes to the creaminess of the product. While it is a natural ingredient, it is high in saturated fat, which may raise health concerns if consumed in excess.
Role in formula: base
Original: coconut oil
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Is Modified Potato Starch safe in this dairy?
Medium
Modified Potato Starch is used here as thickener. Modified potato starch is used as a thickening agent to improve texture. Its processing raises questions about digestibility and potential health effects.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified potato starch
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Is Faba Bean Protein safe in this dairy?
Good
Faba Bean Protein is used here as base. Faba bean protein is a plant-based protein source that contributes to the nutritional profile of the product, offering a good alternative for those seeking non-dairy options.
Role in formula: base
Original: faba bean protein
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Is Maltodextrin safe in this dairy?
Medium
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a carbohydrate derived from starch, used to improve texture. It is processed and can raise blood sugar levels, which may be a concern for some consumers.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: maltodextrin
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Is Salt safe in this dairy?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor and acts as a preservative. While necessary for taste, excessive consumption can lead to health issues.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
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Is Guar Gum safe in this dairy?
Medium
Guar Gum is used here as thickener. Guar gum is a natural thickening agent derived from guar beans. It helps improve texture but can cause digestive issues in some individuals.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: guar gum
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Is Dried Chives safe in this dairy?
Good
Dried Chives is used here as flavor. Dried chives add natural flavor and aroma to the product, enhancing its overall taste profile without synthetic additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: dried chives
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Is Dried Onion safe in this dairy?
Good
Dried Onion is used here as flavor. Dried onion contributes to the flavor complexity of the cream cheese, providing a savory note that complements the chives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: dried onion
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Is Lactic Acid safe in this dairy?
Medium
Lactic Acid is used here as acidulant. Lactic acid is used to provide acidity and enhance flavor. While it is naturally occurring, its presence indicates some level of processing.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: lactic acid
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Is Natural Flavor safe in this dairy?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is a broad term that can include various plant-derived compounds. Its vague nature raises questions about specific ingredients and processing.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavor
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Is Citric Acid safe in this dairy?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural preservative and flavor enhancer derived from citrus fruits. It helps maintain freshness and adds a tangy flavor.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citric acid
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Is Sorbic Acid safe in this dairy?
Bad
Sorbic Acid is used here as preservative. Sorbic acid is a synthetic preservative used to inhibit mold and yeast growth. Its inclusion indicates a level of processing that may concern some consumers.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: sorbic acid
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 2390202
More from this brand: Philadelphia products in Zerotox
Similar products: dairy in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.