Dive Brief:
- Unilever is putting its mayo where its mouth is: the company's Hellmann's brand announced an eggless variety, an obvious nod to its feud with eggless mayonnaise startup Hampton Creek.
- According to a news release, Hellmann's Carefully Crafted Dressing & Sandwich Spread came about due to a shift in consumer preferences.
- The company also launched an organic mayonnaise variety in original, roasted garlic, and spicy chipotle flavors.
Dive Insight:
Unilever's product title signals it isn't looking to cause controversy with the FDA, leaving mayonnaise out of it completely.
Unilever first sued Hampton Creek in 2014 on false ad claims of its Just Mayo product, though it dropped the suit following consumer backlash.
Hampton Creek's Just Mayo said in December it's getting to keep its name after working with the FDA, reported the Associated Press. As of then, the brand just had to make several labeling fixes, like making "egg-free" bigger on the label, in addition to the inclusion of "Spread & Dressing" and a smaller egg with a pea shoot picture. This all amounts to being more clear that the product doesn't have eggs.
Hampton Creek was a sore subject at the American Egg Board, with CEO Joanne Ivy allegedly attempting to stop Whole Foods from selling the company's signature product. Ivy retired early and the USDA began investigating the organization.