What You Need To Know Before Buying Hellmann's Mayonnaise Again

The story of Hellman's mayonnaise begins in France with its predecessor, Sauce à la Mayonnaise. The emulsion created when egg yolks are coaxed together with vegetable oil and lemon juice has a fabled history as one of the great culinary sauces of classic French cuisine (via Just Fun Facts). It is thought that it was developed by the chef of the French Duke Richelieu as part of the victory feast he served after the French won control of the Spanish Port of Mahon on the island of Minorca on June 28, 1756. This would explain its etymology, as "mahonnaise" would indicate the location of its birth. However, according to HuffPost, the Spanish beg to differ, insisting that Salsa Mahonesa was a Spanish invention that was stolen by the French after the conflict at Port Mahon.

Regardless of who can claim to have done it first, the French are the ones who elevated the humble mayonnaise and popularized it. It began with the first celebrity chef, Marie-Antoine Carême, who started the process of establishing a systematic French haute cuisine in the 19th century, naming the initial four "mother sauces" that are the bases of all entrées — Béchamel, Velouté, Espagnole, and tomato sauce (via Salon). This standardization of French cuisine continued under Auguste Escoffier, who expanded the list of "mother sauces" to include Hollandaise. Each of these "mother sauces" focuses on a distinct fundamental sauce-making technique, with the Hollandaise being the umbrella under which emulsions like mayonnaise live.

According to Modern Farmer, the history of commercially produced mayonnaise begins with one Richard Hellmann, an immigrant from Germany who owned a delicatessen in Manhattan. It was here that in 1905 he began jarring and selling his wife's signature condiment. It soon became so popular that he left the deli and opened a factory dedicated solely to producing his mayonnaise. On the other side of the continent in San Francisco, another company began manufacturing a jarred version of mayonnaise, known as Best Foods.

In 1932, Best Foods acquired Hellmann's creating the slogan "one mayonnaise recipe, one mayonnaise brand, two unique names." Best Foods went on to reign supreme west of the Rockies, while Hellmann's continued to dominate the east coast. In the 1960s, Best Foods made the leap and adopted Hellmann's signature blue ribbon on its packaging, forever uniting the two.

By 2000, the European conglomerate Unilever acquired Best Foods for $20.3 billion dollars, per AP News. To this day, whether you call it Hellmann's or Best Foods, this brand of mayonnaise is considered the gold standard of commercially produced mayonnaise, representing almost half of all sales of the condiment in the United States annually.

Dating back to the late 1800s, state fairs have long been considered the place to showcase the biggest and best of all things. Winners entering their prized produce or livestock were given the coveted blue ribbon to signify their achievements (via Blue Ribbon Group). It is surmised that this may have been the inspiration for Hellmann's distinct blue ribbon labeling.

Indeed, according to Hellmann's, when Richard Hellmann began selling his wife's mayonnaise, there were actually two versions. To differentiate between them, he wrapped the one he preferred in a shiny blue ribbon. As time went on, customers quickly sided with Hellmann, affirming that the blue ribbon version was indeed superior. This prompted him to trademark the name "Blue Ribbon Mayonnaise" in 1917, forever cementing the association of the label with the Hellmann's brand. The fact that Best Foods finally adopted the blue ribbon labeling in the late 1960s is evidence that consumer recognition of the quality inferred by this label is powerful.

The identification of Hellmann's mayonnaise as "real" isn't just a marketing ploy, although it certainly is used to help educate consumers and make them more discriminating buyers (via McGill). While the term "mayo" has no legal designation, the term "mayonnaise" cannot be randomly slapped on a label without following specific regulations dictated by the FDA. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Standard of Identity, "real" mayonnaise must contain 65% by weight or more of vegetable oil, vinegar, and egg or egg yolks, per Just Fun Facts. Additionally, spices and seasonings may be added for flavor, with the exception of saffron and turmeric, presumably because they can be used to artificially alter the color of the condiment to appear to contain eggs or egg yolks when they may not.

This distinction may be most important when comparing Hellmann's to Miracle Whip. The debate as to which is better will continue to rage, with some swearing by the latter. That being said, because Miracle Whip contains less than the designated 65% oil necessary to be considered a mayonnaise, it is labeled as a "dressing." Miracle Whip is also loaded with other additives, including high fructose corn syrup, likely to improve the flavor lost to its lower fat content. Health considerations and personal taste aside, if you want "real" mayonnaise, stick with Hellmann's.

If you are among the 78% of consumers for whom sustainability is a consideration when deciding what brands to purchase, you'll be happy to know that Unilever, the parent corporation of Hellmann's mayonnaise, is committed to saving the environment (via Unilever). Its approach is multi-pronged and holistic. Beginning in 2017, Hellmann's mayonnaise was the only brand in the U.S. produced using only cage-free eggs, per Hellmann's. Additionally, Hellmann's mayonnaise sources its oil from responsible soybean farmers focused on land use, conservation, soil carbon, irrigation water use, water quality, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Its commitment doesn't end there. In 2020, Hellmann's transitioned to utilizing only 100% recycled and recyclable plastic jars throughout North America (via Unilever). It also has its sights on ensuring that 100% of its packaging is reusable, recyclable, and compostable by 2025. However, it notes that this goal is more complicated than it sounds, particularly because of the lack of technology available to consistently process recyclables. Thus, part of its agenda is to invest in infrastructure and research to make recycling more efficient and widely available. As its Global Brand VP states, the company stands by the motto "Real Taste and Less Waste."

According to Dieline, in 2017 Unilever engaged the services of ad firm Design Bridge to rebrand its signature Hellmann's mayonnaise label. Its focus on this rebrand was two-fold: to expand people's perceptions of the Hellmann's line to include more than just mayonnaise, and to move away from the synthetic, brightly colored labels, returning to something that hearkens back to Hellmann's humble delicatessen origins.

As Design Week notes, this was accomplished by creating hand-drawn designs based upon the rustic palate and texture reminiscent of deli counter tickets. The label is less glossy and the overall vibe is more muted. The one thing that was non-negotiable in the redesign was the inclusion of the signature blue ribbon symbol. In the new iteration, the blue ribbon symbol is a more matte shade of blue and no longer three-dimensional. And the words "Bring out the best" have been replaced with "Est. 1913," in honor of the birthdate of the brand.

As part of Unilever's collaboration with the UN's initiative to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030, Hellmann's has launched two successful programs to promote the "Make Taste. Not Waste" campaign (via Unilever). The first is its Fridge Night App, which is a free downloadable app and e-book scientifically proven to reduce food waste by 46%. The four-week program encourages users to commit to eating leftovers one night per week. It includes recipes, reminders, and incentives, like coupons and food donations, all intended to increase awareness of the ways in which each of us can play a part in mitigating food waste.

The second program involved the creation of its very own island in the popular Nintendo video game Animal Crossing: New Horizon (via Famous Campaigns). For every spoiled turnip donated by a player to Hellmann's Island, Hellmann's committed to donating the equivalent of funding for two meals to the U.K. charity FareShare. The campaign was intended to educate while being fun. So far both programs have successfully inspired over 200 million people throughout the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., representing a 33% reduction in food waste.

There is arguably no greater stage than that of the Super Bowl. According to Russell Street Report, the most viewed Super Bowl ever was the 2015 XLIX game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, with an average of 114.44 million viewers. That represents a huge potential audience for valuable ad dollars. Hellmann's has capitalized on this by getting into the Super Bowl Ad game in its ongoing efforts to combat food waste.

In its 2021 ad, the inimitable Amy Schumer appeared as Hellmann's Fairy Godmayo, who had the power to transform leftovers into delectable dishes with the flick of her wand. Its 2022 ad took advantage of linebacker-turned-professional football coach Jerod Mayo's name by having him encourage viewers to "tackle food waste." According to Forbes, Hellmann's is slated to make its return with another 30-second spot in the third quarter of Super Bowl LVII, continuing its campaign to "Make Taste. Not Waste."

Hellmann's is nothing if not market-driven. It continuously evaluates the needs and desires of consumers and utilizes this feedback to assess its next move. This is the factor that led to the development of both its vegan and organic offerings, per a company press release via PR Newswire. Introduced in 2016, both options had a singular goal in mind, to produce the finest quality product befitting the legacy of the blue ribbon symbol.

Its organic options utilize organic cage-free eggs and organic expeller-pressed oil, and the products are free of preservatives and artificial flavorings. It comes in four delectable flavors, including Original, Roasted Garlic, Spicy Chipotle, and Mild Curry.

The vegan option, which is called a dressing in accordance with FDA standards regarding the use of the term "mayonnaise," is certified Vegan by Vegan Action. It is made with non-GMO ingredients, including canola oil, sugar, vinegar, modified corn and potato starches, concentrated lemon juice, and spices, and is cholesterol-free. Unilever notes that the vegan option has been so popular that some have even stated they like it better than the original. High praise indeed.

As part of its ongoing expansion into other arenas, Hellmann's has branched out into the production of a unique line of what it calls drizzle sauces. These toppings are a creative way of imparting your home-cooked meals with the panache of a restaurant-made dish. All of these drizzle sauces are created with the same focus on sustainability that Hellmann's is known for, using no artificial flavors or high-fructose corn syrup.

The drizzle sauces come in five unique flavors. Roasted Garlic is made with real garlic and is both gluten-free and dairy-free. It is ideal as a topping on everything from pizza to sandwiches. Creamy Chili Honey is packed with flavor and just the right bite of heat to kick up everything from chicken to french fries. It is also gluten and dairy-free. Cilantro Lime is the perfect blend of hatch chilies, tomatillos, and avocado to pair with all of your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes. It too is gluten and dairy-free. Jalapeno Ranch and Creamy Sriracha are both designed to be either a dressing or dipping sauce for everything from eggs to salads. These two are not gluten or dairy-free.

If you've ever fallen asleep in the sun or forgotten to reapply sunscreen, you may have had to deal with the excruciating discomfort of a sunburn. While many of us don't have aloe vera plants laying around to extract aloe gel to apply to our burnt skin, most of us do have a jar of mayonnaise on hand. According to Reader's Digest, applying some Hellmann's mayonnaise to a minor sunburn will not only alleviate some of the pain by cooling the area, but it will also help moisturize your skin. It will not heal the sunburn, however, and should only be utilized for temporary relief.

That being said, prevention is key, and repeated sunburns can lead to a host of complications including skin damage, premature aging, precancerous skin lesions, and ultimately skin cancer (via Mayo Clinic). Additionally, if you develop blisters, swelling, confusion, diminished eyesight, a fever, nausea, infection, dizziness, or fainting, skip the mayo and seek the help of a professional immediately.

Few things will generate the kind of panic in a parent that a phone call informing them of a lice infestation will. Not only are lice incredibly uncomfortable thanks to that itchy, creepy, crawly feeling they cause on your head, they are also extremely challenging to get rid of. That being said, there is some evidence to suggest that applying mayonnaise to your head if you've been infected by lice may be an effective temporary remedy to alleviate immediate discomfort from them (via Reader's Digest).

Lice Clinics of America notes that the application of a thick, greasy layer of mayonnaise to lice-infested hair may essentially suffocate adult lice. The key is to allow the mayonnaise to completely harden, which can take up to eight hours. Once it has hardened, the dead lice can be removed with a comb. This will not address the eggs or nits that have been left behind, which will likely result in a re-infestation if proper treatment is not sought out. Ultimately a chemical or heat-based treatment will be needed to completely rid your child of those pesky lice.

The household applications of mayonnaise appear to be endless. According to Reader's Digest, if you apply it to plant leaves or piano keys, it will give them a luxurious sheen. Should your children make your walls their canvas with crayons, a dab of mayonnaise will remove the waxy crayon without affecting the color on the walls. And mayonnaise can be used to remove gum from the floors or furniture.

Another article on Reader's Digest adds that mayonnaise can be used to remove stickers from jars and bumper stickers from cars. Once the majority of the sticker is peeled off, spread a thick layer of mayonnaise on top of the adhesive and allow it to sit for a few minutes. The fat in the mayonnaise will dissolve the adhesive, lifting it right off. And if you happen to have a squeaky door or cabinet hinge, mayonnaise can be used as a less messy alternative to WD-40 to help lubricate the joints.

If you happen to be in need of a quick, inexpensive manicure, look no further than the jar of Hellmann's in your refrigerator. While you could just dip your fingers into the jar and lick them clean, that may not be a method that is approved by your cardiologist or personal fitness trainer. That being said, you can treat pesky hangnails by soaking your fingers in a bowl of mayonnaise for five minutes before rinsing them in lukewarm water.

Reader's Digest states that not only will the fat in mayonnaise soften dry cuticles, but it will also give you stronger fingernails. It can also be applied to desiccated, tough, calloused feet to help resuscitate them. We are starting to think that someone needs to invent a Hellmann's mayonnaise bath bomb. Not only will it hydrate your whole body, it apparently will clean the tub as it drains, although it may be a disaster for your plumbing.

Is your hair dry, dull, and listless? Fear not, mayonnaise will come to your rescue. The key to its conditioning prowess — egg yolks. Egg yolks are replete with fats and proteins that can bring the sheen right back to those split ends, per Reader's Digest. The key is to tolerate the greasy mess on your head for a full 20 minutes. Once you have allowed your hair follicles to marinate in the mayonnaise, rinse it off, and wash your hair with a mild shampoo.

Mayonnaise won't just hydrate your hair, it can act as a nourishing and exfoliating cleanser for your face, also according to Reader's Digest. Start by heating the mayonnaise in a bowl in the microwave. Once it cools, carefully rub it all over your face, massaging it into your pores in a circular fashion. When you are done, rinse the mayonnaise facial off your skin and you'll have noticeably brighter and softer skin.

If you've ever been to Europe, you may have noticed that many countries will bring you a side of mayonnaise versus ketchup with your fries (via Insider). In fact, when we were at a McDonald's in Paris, they gave us tiny packets of mayonnaise for free, but when we asked for ketchup, we were charged a few francs for it. Clearly this was a long time ago, but the point is, french fries and mayonnaise are a match made in heaven according to many European nations, particularly Belgium and France.

The reason has to do with the double-frying technique used to make fries there. The first round of frying in animal fat allows the potatoes to cook through. Once the fries are drained, they are thrown back into the animal fat to crisp up. It is believed that the creamy mayonnaise lends itself far better to this type of french fry than an acidic condiment like ketchup.

According to Calendar-Canada.ca, there are some variations on this theme. In Denmark and some parts of France, a mayonnaise-based sauce called remoulade is consumed with french fries. The Germans have a sauce made with mayonnaise and a special seasoning blend called "Fritten" that they use on french fries.

The basic components of a cake are generally flour, sugar, eggs, and oil, therefore, the notion of substituting mayonnaise for the eggs and oil in a cake recipe isn't all that far-fetched. In fact, the precedent for this may have everything to do with hard times (via NPR). During times of scarcity, such as throughout the Great Depression, eggs and oil were often unavailable or too pricey for most households to obtain. Mayonnaise, however, was both available and affordable. Enter the mayonnaise cake, which not only became popular, it became such a sensation that the recipe was actually included on jars of mayonnaise. Experts agree that the cake is moist, if not just a touch too salty.

To jazz up the recipe and combat the added saltiness, we recommend supplementing the recipe with some spices like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. Just that hint of extra flavor can create a level of complexity that'll take this cake to the next level of awesomeness.

Who doesn't love a grilled cheese sandwich? It's the perfect comfort food, and a quick, inexpensive meal in a pinch. Sure you can jazz up your grilled cheese by using different kinds of bread, combining gourmet cheeses like gruyere and asiago, or adding ingredients to the mix like ham or turkey, but the thing that'll completely change your grilled cheese game is substituting mayonnaise for butter on the exterior of the bread before putting it in the pan (via Reader's Digest).

Cook's Illustrated agrees, stating that while both butter and mayonnaise work well in terms of browning your grilled cheese sandwich, the mayonnaise is much more convenient since you don't have to wait for your butter to soften. It also adds a special level of tanginess, which beautifully accents the luxurious cheese. They do warn, however, that this is not the time to try to save on fat or calories by using low-fat or light mayonnaise, as it lacks the proper fat content to adequately crisp up your grilled cheese sandwich and will end up a soggy mess.

If you love to grill out but are looking for ways in which to amp up your grilling prowess, look no further than a jar of Hellmann's mayonnaise. That's right, incorporating mayonnaise into your grilling recipes will completely revolutionize the process. There are a couple of key factors at play. First, since mayonnaise is made up of at least 65% fat, it is a powerful non-stick agent, particularly with foods that tend to be delicate, like fish or vegetables. There's also the notion that "fat equals flavor," therefore basting your meat with mayonnaise while grilling will not only lock in moisture, the egg yolks in the mayonnaise will help brown the meat to a perfect crispy finish.

The other reason to start using mayonnaise as your grilling superpower has to do with it being a great adhesive for dry rubs. Often applying seasonings to meat without any kind of glue ends up in the seasonings pulling right off when you place your meat on the grill. All that yumminess ends up sticking to your grill, making a huge mess, rather than infusing your meat with flavor. Brushing your meat with a thin layer of mayonnaise before applying your dry rub will help it stay on your meat and keep your grill from becoming a caked-on greasy mess.

While we won't go as far as to call Hellmann's mayonnaise a health food, one thing is for sure, consumed in moderation, it can be a part of a healthy diet (via Verywell Fit). One tablespoon of full fat Hellmann's mayonnaise contains 90 calories, 10 grams of fat, 5 milligrams of cholesterol, and 90 milligrams of sodium. At first glance, that is a very high-fat, calorie-dense food. However, the majority of the fat in mayonnaise is of the unsaturated variety, which is considered to be healthier than saturated fat. Additionally, mayonnaise contains a number of nutrients that can be an important part of a healthy diet, including vitamins E and K.

And as far as the issue of food-borne illnesses is concerned, commercial mayonnaise is considered to be far safer than homemade, which generally contains raw egg yolks that can be contaminated with salmonella. In addition to using pasteurized eggs, commercial mayonnaise also contains vinegar or lemon juice, both of which have been shown to have antibacterial qualities. That being said, it is important to exercise caution with mayonnaise-based dishes by never leaving them at room temperature for longer than two hours.

With the introduction of mandatory allergen labeling of foods regulated by the FDA, it has become easier to identify potential allergens in foods prior to consumption. It has also become advantageous for food manufacturers to be mindful of what additives they put in their products. Being allergen-free means increased sales, so it's not just about safety — it's about dollars and cents. That being said, Hellmann's has always prided itself on its quality and the sourcing of sustainable ingredients. This has translated to products that are often free of many allergens, making them a great option for many populations.

According to Allergen Inside, Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise is free of 10 of the top 14 allergens. It is gluten-free, vegetarian, Kosher, contains no MSG, and has no artificial colors or preservatives. They do note that many of their products are manufactured in facilities that are exposed to five of the top 14 allergens and therefore there may be a slight risk of cross-contamination.