Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise (India, Eggless) — ENGINEERED
Munch or Dump rates Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise (India, Eggless) by Hellmann's ENGINEERED — score 30/90.
A refined-soybean-oil emulsion built on sugar, two modified-starch thickeners, a synthetic 'nature-identical' flavour, and a preservative-plus-sequestrant stack. It's a lab-built condiment, not real food.
Why this verdict
- Refined soybean oil is the #1 ingredient — pro-inflammatory omega-6 seed oil base
- Two modified starches (E1442, E1450) fake the creaminess egg yolk normally provides
- Added sugar sits at #3, ahead of the vinegar and lemon
- 'Nature identical' flavouring means synthetic, lab-made flavour, not real spice
- Preservative (E202) plus EDTA sequestrant (E385) round out an additive stack
Ingredients (12)
- Refined Soybean Oil (fortified with Vitamin A & D) (moderate) — Highly refined seed oil, very calorie-dense and the dominant ingredient; the vitamin fortification is a minor perk on top of a lot of refined fat.
- Water (safe) — Added back as a filler/texture agent; harmless but dilutes.
- Sugar (concerning) — Added sugar, third by weight, feeds yeast and adds sweetness with no nutritional benefit.
- Thickener E1442 (hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate) (moderate) — Chemically modified starch used to fake a creamy, stable texture without egg; a hallmark of ultra-processing.
- Thickener E1450 (starch sodium octenylsuccinate) (moderate) — Second modified starch acting as emulsifier in place of egg yolk; stacked processing aid.
- Natural vinegar (safe) — Acid for tang and mild preservation; a genuinely simple ingredient.
- Iodised Salt (safe) — Small amount for flavor balance; iodine is beneficial.
- Spices & Condiments (safe) — Flavoring blend; minor and generally benign.
- lemon juice concentrate (safe) — Minor acidity/pH adjuster, benign.
- Preservative E202 (potassium sorbate) (moderate) — Synthetic preservative to extend shelf life; generally recognized as safe but a marker of processed food.
- Nature-Identical & Natural Flavouring Substances (moderate) — Lab-made and extracted flavors doing the work real ingredients should.
- Sequestrant (E385, calcium disodium EDTA) (moderate) — Chelating agent that binds metals to stop the oil going rancid; a purely functional additive.
Healthier alternatives
- Chosen Foods Classic Avocado Oil Mayo
- Chosen Foods Classic Mayo
- MAYO Real Mayonnaise made with Avocado Oil
- Simple Truth Organic Thick & Chunky Mild Salsa
- Tabasco Premium Salsa