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[entremet]

Must mayonnaise contain eggs, as FDA regulations require? Is "mayo" "mayonnaise"?

Concerned sandwich makers everywhere can take comfort in the fact that these important questions will be answered in a lawsuit filed late last month by Unilever, maker of Hellman's, against Hampton Creek, maker of Just Mayo. (Full disclosure: My girlfriend digs Hellman's, while I'm a Just Mayo guy.) The former contains eggs, while the latter—which contains pea protein—does not.

At issue are the FDA's general standards of identity for various foods and, specifically, the agency's standard of identity for mayonnaise, which requires that any product labeled as "mayonnaise" must be an "emulsified semisolid food prepared from vegetable oil(s)," specific "Acidifying ingredients," and "Egg yolk-containing ingredients," and may contain one or more "Other optional ingredients," including salt.

Unilever claims that, based on the FDA standard of identity, egg-less Just Mayo is lying—despite the company's use of the non-standard term "mayo"—and that this alleged deceit has harmed Hellman's profits. It's seeking millions of dollars in damages and wants the judge to bar Just Mayo from calling itself, well, mayo.

Just Mayo contains no eggs, unlike the classic mayo recipe.

Apparently the product has been gaining a lot of steam and many people prefer it to real mayo.

Moreover, many mayo haters tend to prefer Just Mayo as it doesn't have the greasy mouthfeel that conventional mayo has.

Just Mayo is a product of Hampton Creek, a SF based startup that promotes sustainable alternatives. They also make a product called Just Cookies, which is egg and dairy free.

http://reason.com/archives/2014/11/22/hellmans-says-mayo-nays-sues-competitor

 

[RumblingRosco]

They should just change their product's name to "Not Just Mayo" if they lose the suit.

 

[johnsmith]

I can't believe it's not mayo.


Best Foods fo' life here.

 

[Angry Grimace]

"I Can't Believe It's Not Mayo!"

e: dammit johnsmith

 

[cr_blah_blah]

mayOnly would have been my terrible name. It could skirt through by not actually just saying "mayo".

 

[E the Shaggy]

Let's get the HELL OUTTA HERE!

 

[TheOMan]

"Mayonegg"

 

[StoOgE]

I have no real issue with this.

Same as trying to call margarine butter.

It might taste similar, but it's not the same food.

 

[Trouble]

"Mayonegg"

Her?

 

[Intheflorsh]

"Mayonegg"

May-no-egg

 

[DJ_Lae]

I've never had a vegan mayo that didn't taste gross. Having said that, I think calling it 'just mayo' is pretty misleading given that it is definitely not mayo, but I find it hard to believe that it's hurting Hellmann's much given that anyone who would willingly buy a fake mayonnaise probably wasn't going to go for the real thing in the first place.

 

[OfWhiteSkinOnRedLeather]

"Mayonegg"

I think it needs an "s". "Mayoneggs."

I have no real issue with this.

Same as trying to call margarine butter.

It might taste similar, but it's not the same food.

What about almond/soy/hazelnut/rice/whatever milk?

 

[Eusis]

I have no real issue with this.

Same as trying to call margarine butter.

It might taste similar, but it's not the same food.

Some of the technicalities come off as reaching too far by a crazy amount, but yeah they need a different name. Just don't also drive them out of business if they're offering a legitimately good alternative.

 

[entremet]

I've never had a vegan mayo that didn't taste gross. Having said that, I think calling it 'just mayo' is pretty misleading given that it is definitely not mayo, but I find it hard to believe that it's hurting Hellmann's much given that anyone who would willingly buy a fake mayonnaise probably wasn't going to go for the real thing in the first place.

This one is really tasty.

They really nailed it.

Apparently the company has a decent fleet of staff chefs making sure their stuff tastes good.

 

[Welcome to you're "DOOM!"]

I don't know if it's in the article but there is a petition regarding this case. Check it out if anyone's interested.

https://www.change.org/p/tell-unilever-to-stop-bullying-sustainable-food-companies

 

[subrock]

if they lose they should call it "Just Mayo?"

 

[Amory]

So if there's no eggs what's in it? Isn't mayonnaise basically all egg with some vinegar thrown in

Edit: oh. Pea protein. Sounds great.

 

[OfWhiteSkinOnRedLeather]

So if there's no eggs what's in it? Isn't mayonnaise basically all egg with some vinegar thrown in

Egg, oil, and lemon juice/vinegar.

 

[entremet]

So if there's no eggs what's in it? Isn't mayonnaise basically all egg with some vinegar thrown in

Yes, conventional mayo is an egg and oil emulsion with acid (lemon or vinegar) and mustard.

The egg and oil is the most important part the other stuff are the flavorings.

They used pea protein instead of egg and other emulsifying agents.

 

[StoOgE]

I think it needs an "s". "Mayoneggs."



What about almond/soy/hazelnut/rice/whatever milk?

Right, but those products don't confuse buyers because they tell them what they are.

Like no one is going to buy Almond Milk and think it came from a cow.

This would be like selling soy milk under the name "It's Milk!" and then throwing a thing in there somewhere saying it's vegan.

 

[OfWhiteSkinOnRedLeather]

Right, but those products don't confuse buyers because they tell them what they are.

Like no one is going to buy Almond Milk and think it came from a cow.

lol true.

 

[Fireblend]

They should call it "Cinco de Mayo Nutritional Paste", with those last two words in a really small font.

 

[Freezasaurus]

Mayo is so gross.

 

[andymcc]

didn't andrew zimmern actually say this stuff is way better than hellman's?

i'd be interested to try. my girlfriend doesn't eat mayo but if there is a vegan alternative that tasted it good, that means less money spent and more room in the fridge!

 

[A Fish Aficionado]

I make my own mayo.

 

[Random Painted HIghway]

On team Mayo has eggs. This fake mayo can call itself something else like the aforementioned buttery spread or whatever they call that fake cheese stuff.

 

[Trike]

I have no real issue with this.

Same as trying to call margarine butter.

It might taste similar, but it's not the same food.

but this kind of thing also happens all the time. For example, any Minute Maid juice claiming to be from the fruit in it's name. The FDA is kind of a joke when it comes to labeling what the food/drink actually is, so I don't see this lawsuit going anywhere for a while. Or at least I hope it doesn't take off faster than Pom Wonderful vs Coca-Cola.

 

[cwmartin]

Mouthfeel is the worst word ever. Sounds terrible, feels terrible in my mouth too.


The word mouthfeel has terrible mouthfeel.

 

[Akahige]

Never heard of it, not a big hellmens brand fan so I'll look for this.

 

[entremet]

I make my own mayo.

That's the best one.

My only problem is that it uses a lot of oil and it only last a week.

 

[Timeless]

I have no real issue with this.

Same as trying to call margarine butter.

It might taste similar, but it's not the same food.

qft

This is wyngz all over again. Make it mayoh and nobody will complain.

 

[God Dayumm]

I have no real issue with this.

Same as trying to call margarine butter.

It might taste similar, but it's not the same food.

Reminds me of all those products that say BUTTER in huge letters and "cant believe it's not" in much smaller font. I just want some normal butter, not to grow man boobs, damn.

 

[Stronty]

What about Miracle Whip? that has allways tasted better than Mayo.

 

[entremet]

Mouthfeel is the worst word ever. Sounds terrible, feels terrible in my mouth too.


The word mouthfeel has terrible mouthfeel.

It's very common in wine tasting descriptions.

 

[Famassu]

I have no real issue with this.

Same as trying to call margarine butter.

It might taste similar, but it's not the same food.

Perhaps a name change isn't that much of an issue, but suing them for millions is such typically pathetic US thing to do.

 

[Guevara]

I'm going to start selling sea water mixed with gelatin. Call it Real Mayo or some shit.

In small print: not for human consumption. Real Mayo: look for us in the mayo aisle!

 

[entremet]

What about Miracle Whip? that has allways tasted better than Mayo.

It's technically mayo with sugar and other spices not found in the conventional Mayo recipes.

 

[Stet]

But it's not mayo.

 

[gblues]

I've never tried Just Mayo, and it might be the best stuff ever, but if the FDA has specific requirements for something to be marketed as "mayonnaise" to be made with eggs, and it doesn't have eggs, they're SOL.

They would probably have been OK if they'd picked a name that implied it was a mayo-alternative, but the name "Just Mayo" does the exact opposite. And I really doubt the judge is going to buy the argument that calling it "mayo" and not "mayonnaise" is sufficient to make it not subject to the FDA regulation. Literally the only time anyone uses mayo outside the context of mayonnaise is when dealing with the Mayo Clinic or Cinco de Mayo.

 

[Screaming_Gremlin]

It's technically mayo with sugar and other spices not found in the conventional Mayo recipes.

Miracle Whip doesn't actually claim to be mayo, but instead is salad dressing.

 

[newdayrocks]

Just Mayo is amazingly delicious, especially the Sriracha and chipotle varieties. Cooks and bakes exactly the same as the "real" stuff.

 

[Branduil]

What about Miracle Whip? that has allways tasted better than Mayo.

Get out.

 

[terrisus]

They'd better bring out the best.

Spoiler

Mayonnaise is disgusting >.>

 

[Krauser Kat]

Traders joes has Fat Free Mayo and JustMayo are pretty great. if you have bought any sandwichs or salads from whole foods in the last 4 months it used Justmayo and not regular mayonnaise.

 

[entremet]

Miracle Whip doesn't actually claim to be mayo, but instead is salad dressing.

It's a bit of a marketing term there. It's basically sweet mayo. Eggs, oil, spices and sugar.

Also, I've never seen anyone use it as such.

 

[OfWhiteSkinOnRedLeather]

Vegan mayo sounds absolutely horrendous, but with so many of you claiming it's good, I have to try it. There's no way it tops Hellmann's though. I can eat that shit with a spoon.

 

[Screaming_Gremlin]

It's a bit of a marketing term there. It's basically sweet mayo. Eggs, oils, spices and sugar.

Also, I've never seen anyone use it as such.

Sadly, I actually have seen people use it as a salad dressing (and I mean actual leafy salad). Personally, I don't really like mayo or Miracle Whip and the only thing that I eat that contains it is tuna/chicken salad.

 

[entremet]

Vegan mayo sounds absolutely horrendous, but with so many of you claiming it's good, I have to try it. There's no way it tops Hellmann's though. I can eat that shit with a spoon.

To be fair, most Vegan mayo is shit.

This one is an exception.

 

[adamsappel]

"Mayonegg"

I get you.

 

[shadyspace]

The little guy won