Dive Brief:
- Hampton Creek's Just Mayo says it's getting to keep its name after working with the FDA; the brand just has to make several labeling fixes, reports the Associated Press.
- The fixes include being more clear in that the product doesn't have eggs — 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 follows the FDA's August warning letter to the company, calling out the company for misbranding due to the definiton of mayonnaise including eggs.
Dive Insight:
This has been the year of mayonnaise controversy. Unilever — the company behind Hellmann's — first sued Hampton Creek toward the end of last year on false ad claims, though it dropped the suit following customer backlash.
According to emails reported by the Associated Press, Hampton Creek was a sore subject at the American Egg Board, with CEO Joanne Ivy allegedly attempting to stop Whole Foods from selling Just Mayo. Ivy retired early and the USDA started looking into the company, and still is.
An FDA representative could not yet verify its resolution with Hampton Creek, according to the Associated Press.
Labeling issues remain a consistent industry concern, especially when smaller products threaten larger companies. The New York Times cited investment bank Jeffries saying that larger brands' market share fell in 42 of 54 sectors over the past five years.