Unilever unveils egg-free spread under Hellmann's brand (but it's not calling it 'mayo')
The egg-free spread was unveiled just over a year after Unilever acknowleged– in a high-profile lawsuit that was later dropped amid a flurry of bad PR – that Hellmann’s was losing market share to Hampton Creek's flagship egg-free brand Just Mayo.
Hellmann's Carefully Crafted Dressing & Sandwich Spread is for the “growing number of families [that] are looking for eggless spread options due to dietary restrictions, food allergies or personal preferences for plant-based foods” said Unilever.
The spread – which is made from soybean oil, water, sugar, vinegar, salt, modified corn and potato starch, lemon juice concentrate, natural flavor, and the preservative calcium disodium EDTA – is being rolled out nationwide in 15oz and 24oz jars, said Unilever.
(Just Mayo has a fairly similar ingredients list except that it adds pea protein and uses canola oil instead of soybean oil. Here is the full list: Non-GMO expeller-pressed canola oil, filtered water, lemon juice, white vinegar, organic sugar, salt, apple cider vinegar, pea protein, spices, garlic, modified food starch, beta-carotene, and calcium disodium EDTA.)
Unilever: More families are looking for eggless spread options
“Hellmann's Carefully Crafted Dressing & Sandwich Spread features the rich, creamy taste from Hellmann's, but is free from cholesterol, eggs and artificial colors and flavors," said Unilever. "It is also made with non-GMO sourced ingredients.”
The new launches were praised by animal welfare groups such as Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), which commended Unilever’s “ongoing commitment to animal welfare through offering a plant-based mayo alternative and continuing research to replace inhumane farming practices”.
CIWF US director Leah Garces added: “Today’s announcement is a clear indicator that the market is heading towards increased plant-based options as well as higher animal welfare standards.”
