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This is something I can't seem to make sense of, even after reading the ingredient lists.

The non-reduced-fat Hellman's dressing is marketed as "real mayonnaise", but reduced-fat Hellman's is sold as "mayonnaise dressing". I've also observed similar differences in labeling with other brands of mayo, such as Kraft Mayo.

Why is the reduced-fat dressing not considered "real mayonnaise", and what is the difference between these two? What defines "real mayonnaise"?

bwDraco
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1 Answers1

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According to Duke University:

Believe it or not, there's a standard of identity for mayo. Mayonnaise, as defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration must contain vinegar, egg or egg yolks, and at least 65% oil by weight. It may contain spices and natural seasonings except turmeric and saffron, since yellow color might suggest added egg yolk.

You can also review the complete standard.

Therefore, anything that does not meet this requirement cannot be marketed in the US simply as mayonnaise.

Reduced fat dressings, do not have the same amount of oil (necesary to meet the standard), since they need to eliminate it to reduce the calories. Instead they emulsify in additional water via stabilizers.

SAJ14SAJ
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  • Exactly as I thought. There must be some sort of FDA food labeling requirement... – bwDraco Jul 14 '13 at 23:14
  • Yes, there are formal standards of identity for many food items. The second link is the actual standard (scroll down, its the second entry), but it doesn't make as a good a quote as the Duke article, since it is written in governmentese. – SAJ14SAJ Jul 14 '13 at 23:32
  • I'm used to reading legal/technical documents, and I have no trouble understanding the legal definition of mayonnaise `:P`. – bwDraco Jul 14 '13 at 23:36
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    I don't know that I'd feel deceived if I were given mayo whose color was adulterated using saffron. – Ray Jul 15 '13 at 00:28
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    Saffron is for mustard, everyone knows that :-) :-) – SAJ14SAJ Jul 15 '13 at 00:47