HELLMANN’S MAYONNAISE — FAR FROM HOMEMADE™

RAPID REVIEW

Information updated April 2024

Unilever's Hellmann’s/Best Foods Mayonnaise (different names on East/West coast, but the same product) is the #1 mayonnaise brand in the U.S. (Source: Statista 2024)

Sources for ingredients: Unilever Hellmann’s and Best Foods Web sites 4/24

HELLMANN’S MAYONNAISE IS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IT WAS DECADES AGO. Hellmann’s used to contain five ingredients and now it is banned at Whole Foods and contains 10 ingredients including several not in the original version >> Soybean Oil, Water, Sugar, Calcium Disodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid and Natural Flavors.

LIGHT VERSIONS OF PRODUCTS TEND TO CONTAIN MORE INGREDIENTS NOT IN OUR HOME KITCHENS. In order to compensate for missing or reduced amounts of certain ingredients, Light products are a result of food science and so generally contain more ingredients we would never use at home.

HELLMANN’S WITH OLIVE OIL MAYONNAISE: The “with’ is in tiny type on the front label, so consumers may erroneously think this mayonnaise contains only Olive Oil, but it also contains Canola Oil and Soybean Oil. Water is the primary ingredient.

CLOSEST TO HOMEMADE: The Mayonnaises certified as Closest To Homemade have no added Sweeteners (except one with added Honey), Colors, Flavors, Gums, Soybean Oil, Canola Oil or Chemical Preservatives. They are made with one or more of the following: Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil and/or Mid to High Oleic Safflower Oil or Sunflower Oil. (Sources for ingredients: Brand Web sites 4/24)

Discover more food + beverages whose ingredients are Closest To Homemade in 275+ categories. Neither money nor products are ever accepted to appear on the Closest To Homemade list.

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