Philadelphia Brings Its Signature Cream Cheese to Millions More Consumers with New Lactose Free Innovation

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lactase enzyme medical

Lactase enzyme is a protein produced in the small intestine that breaks the milk sugar lactose into simpler sugars the body can absorb, like a pair of molecular scissors cutting a larger sugar into smaller pieces. It matters to investors because lactase underpins the production of lactose-free foods, digestive supplements, and certain bioprocessing technologies, so demand, patents, manufacturing scale, and regulatory approvals can affect companies across food, biotech, and consumer healthcare markets.

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07/22/2026 - 07:00 AM

Made with real dairy and no compromise on taste, Philadelphia’s newest innovation expands access to its iconic cream cheese for lactose-intolerant and lactose-avoidant consumers

Philadelphia launches Philadelphia Lactose Free, the first lactose-free cream cheese from a major brand in the U.S., expanding access to the category for consumers who are lactose-intolerant or lactose-avoidant.
Made with real dairy, Philadelphia Lactose Free delivers the same rich, creamy taste as the brand's original cream cheese brick, without the lactose. With no added preservatives, flavors or dyes, it can be used as a one-to-one swap for the brand's original cream cheese in versatile recipes from bagels and sandwiches to cheesecakes.
Philadelphia Lactose Free will be available in the brand’s iconic brick format at major retailers nationwide starting in August.
The new lactose-free cream cheese reflects Kraft Heinz’s growth strategy to modernize and evolve its iconic brands to meet consumers' evolving preferences and dietary needs.

PITTSBURGH & CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- For up to 50 million Americans who are lactose intolerant,¹ cream cheese has often meant compromise – or going without altogether. Now, Philadelphia, the inventor of cream cheese, is changing that with the launch of Philadelphia Lactose Free, the first major brand to offer a lactose-free cream cheese in the U.S. Made with real dairy and delivering the same rich, creamy taste consumers expect from Philadelphia, the new innovation reflects Kraft Heinz’s strategy to modernizing its iconic brands through meaningful innovation that meets evolving consumer preferences and dietary needs. Philadelphia Lactose Free will be available at major retailers nationwide starting in August.

Philadelphia Lactose Free delivers the same rich, creamy taste fans know and love, now without the lactose. Made with real dairy, the new innovation will be available at retailers nationwide beginning in August.

PHILADELPHIA CREAM CHEESE, NOW LACTOSE-FREE
Despite growing consumer demand for lactose-free products,² few cream cheese options have matched the taste of traditional dairy cream cheese. After more than two years of development, Philadelphia Lactose Free fills that gap, delivering the creamy taste consumers love in a format that fits their dietary needs. Expertly blended with the same fresh milk and real cream as the original, Philadelphia Lactose Free cream cheese features no added preservatives, flavors or dyes. Philadelphia Lactose Free uses a lactase enzyme to help make the product easier to digest for people who are sensitive to lactose, allowing consumers to enjoy the real dairy cream cheese without the discomfort or tradeoffs.

“For too long, many lactose-intolerant consumers have had to miss out on cream cheese and some of the foods they love most,” said Maddy Zingle, Vice President of Marketing at Philadelphia Cream Cheese. “Philadelphia Lactose Free changes that. From a perfectly schmear-ed bagel to a homemade cheesecake, fans can once again enjoy their favorite recipes without sacrificing the rich, creamy taste they expect from Philadelphia. It also opens the door to new creamy possibilities in the kitchen, transforming any dish from good to Really Philly Good.”

REUNITING FANS WITH THE CREAM CHEESE CATEGORY
Philadelphia Lactose Free expands the brand’s reach to consumers who have historically sat outside the cream cheese category, while reinforcing Philadelphia’s position as the category leader. Lactose Free can be used as a one-to-one swap for original Philadelphia cream cheese, building on the brand’s recent evolution to showcase cream cheese as a versatile, everyday kitchen essential – not just a bagel spread – that elevates everything from pasta and potatoes, to eggs, dips and more. As the No. 1 cream cheese in America,³ with more than 150 years of leadership, Philadelphia is uniquely positioned to meet growing consumer demand in the lactose-free dairy category, which is projected to reach nearly $28 billion by 2033.²

Philadelphia Lactose Free offers the same great taste and price point as the brand's original brick cream cheese, building equity within the dairy aisle. To learn more and explore recipe inspiration, visit creamcheese.com and follow Philadelphia on Instagram and TikTok.

ABOUT THE KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY
Kraft Heinz (Nasdaq: KHC) is one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, with approximately $25 billion in net sales in 2025 and a portfolio of iconic brands enjoyed by consumers in more than 40 countries. By investing in our capabilities and brands, including Heinz, Kraft, Philadelphia, Primal Kitchen, and Lunchables, we are unlocking the full power of our portfolio. We deliver high‑quality, great‑tasting, and affordable food for the consumers of today, while shaping the future of food. Learn more at www.kraftheinzcompany.com.

¹ Boston Children’s Hospital, 2026

² Food Ingredients 1st, 2025

³ Total Circana Universe, Latest 52 Weeks 5/26