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Yes — Original Philadelphia is ultra-processed.
The ingredient list is valid. The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains the additive stabiliser (guar gum), which is an industrially extracted additive used to modify texture, fitting NOVA’s definition of ultra-processed ingredients. Other ingredients (soft cheese, salt, citric acid, pasteurised milk) are not UPF on their own, but the presence of guar gum is sufficient to classify the overall product as UPF.
Similar products that aren't ultra-processed — swap and keep the flavour.
Other dairy, eggs & yoghurt Nomi has checked — these ones aren't ultra-processed.
Tesco Soft Cheese 50% less fat
Tesco
Not UPF
Boursin portions garlic & herbs
Bel, Boursin
Not UPF
12
Président
Not UPF
Lighter soft cheese
By Sainsbury's
Not UPF
Mascarpone
Lidl, Milbona
Not UPF
full fat soft cheese
Milbona (Lidl)
Not UPF
Original Creamy Soft Cheese
ASDA
Not UPF
Light Philadelphia Soft Cheese
Philadelphia
Not UPF
Soft Cheese Garlic And Herb
Tesco
Not UPF
Savers soft cheese
Morrisons
Not UPF
Yes — Original Philadelphia by Philadelphia is ultra-processed, so it counts as a UPF (ultra-processed food). The ingredient list is valid. The product is classified as ultra-processed because it contains the additive stabiliser (guar gum), which is an industrially extracted additive used to modify texture, fitting NOVA’s definition of ultra-processed ingredients. Other ingredients (soft cheese, salt, citric acid, pasteurised milk) are not UPF on their own, but the presence of guar gum is sufficient to classify the overall product as UPF.
Nomi flags one ingredient in Original Philadelphia as an ultra-processed marker: guar gum. See the full ingredient breakdown above for what each one is.
Nomi has reviewed similar products that are not ultra-processed, including Soft cheese by Tesco, Full Fat Soft Cheese by Sainsbury's, Cream Cheese by Paysan Breton. See the healthier alternatives above for details.
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrial formulations made with ingredients and additives you wouldn't find in a home kitchen — such as emulsifiers, artificial flavourings, colourings and modified starches. The classification is based on the NOVA system used by researchers and dietitians worldwide.
Scan any barcode — or photograph the ingredients label — with the free Nomi app for iOS and Android. You'll get an instant ultra-processed verdict with every ingredient explained in plain English.
This page was shared from Nomi, the free app that tells you instantly whether any food is ultra-processed.
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Product information comes from public databases and Nomi's own analysis, and may contain errors. Always check the packaging. Ultra-processed classification is based on the NOVA food processing system.