--- title: FDA: Vegan Mayonnaise Isn't Mayo description: Mayo must contain eggs, and Hampton Creek's Just Mayo does not. canonical: https://time.com/4009893/hampton-creek-just-mayo-vegan-egg/ author: Tanya Basu article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2015-08-25T17:42:49.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:41:31.909Z article:section: Health og:title: FDA: Vegan 'Just Mayo' Can't Call Itself Mayonnaise og:description: FDA rules require mayonnaise to contain eggs; Hampton Creek's Just Mayo doesn't og:url: https://time.com/4009893/hampton-creek-just-mayo-vegan-egg/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt471eb0e55577769c/698860c23c1639b9a545969b/gettyimages-155276312.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 4133 og:image:height: 2325 og:image:alt: 155276312 og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: FDA: Vegan 'Just Mayo' Can't Call Itself Mayonnaise twitter:description: FDA rules require mayonnaise to contain eggs; Hampton Creek's Just Mayo doesn't twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt471eb0e55577769c/698860c23c1639b9a545969b/gettyimages-155276312.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # FDA Says Vegan Mayonnaise Can't Be Called Mayo > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Health Matters: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition Health Matters is one of seven email newsletters published by TIME, the news organization founded in 1923. The latest health news and expert advice on living well. Health Matters makes the fast-moving world of health more useful, surprising and human, from the latest science and medical breakthroughs to practical ideas for living better. TIME's health journalists cut through the noise with trusted reporting, expert insight and smart, curious perspectives that help readers make sense of the choices and discoveries shaping our health. 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Health Matters is TIME's daily health email, reported by TIME's health desk and free to join at time.com/newsletters. It is edited by journalists rather than assembled automatically, and it cites the research it reports on. #### Is Health Matters free? Yes. Health Matters is a free daily newsletter from TIME, available at time.com/newsletters. #### Who reads TIME's Health Matters newsletter? Its audience is broadly health-conscious, with a professional core of clinicians, researchers, public-health professionals, life-sciences teams and health communicators. ## Video: Should I Eat Butter? [Watch (HLS stream): Should I Eat Butter?](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/MlbiwnQ6.m3u8) (1:46)  _Published 2015-06-17. While few health experts would encourage you to eat more of it, 2.5 out of 5 experts gave butter the thumbs up._  by [Tanya Basu](https://time.com/author/tanya-basu/)  ## Tanya Basu Aug 25, 2015 5:42 PM UTC  Mayonnaise sauce Mayonnaise sauce Getty Images  by [Tanya Basu](https://time.com/author/tanya-basu/)  ## Tanya Basu Aug 25, 2015 5:42 PM UTC Vegan mayonnaise—which by definition doesn’t contain eggs—can’t be marketed as mayonnaise, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Hampton Creek Foods, Inc., a health foods company whose best known product is a vegan, egg-free mayonnaise called [Just Mayo](http://www.hamptoncreek.com/just-mayo), was sent a warning letter from the FDA on Aug. 12. “According to the standard of identity for mayonnaise, egg is a required ingredient,” said the letter, which was released Tuesday and was signed by William A. Cornell, Jr., the FDA’s director of the office of compliance. “\[H\]owever, based on the ingredient information on the labels, these products do not contain eggs. We also note that these products contain additional ingredients that are not permitted by the standard, such as modified food starch, pea protein, and beta-carotene, which may be used to impart color simulating egg yolk. Therefore, these products do not conform to the standard for mayonnaise.” The FDA requires that [a product calling itself “mayonnaise” contain](http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=169&showFR=1&subpartNode=21:2.0.1.1.41.2) at least 65% vegetable oil and have one or more “egg yolk-containing” ingredients. The “egg” of Hampton Creek’s Just Mayo—and Just Mayo Sriracha, which was also cited in the warning letter—is actually a byproduct of Canadian yellow pea and has fast become a popular product on grocery store shelves across the country, [TIME reported last year](http://time.com/3117300/eggless-egg-hampton-creek-just-mayo/). The company boasts investors that read like the who’s who of the tech world: Bill Gates, Peter Theil and Vinod Khosla all back the San Francisco-based company. But in November 2014, Unilever—which owns Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise—[filed a lawsuit](http://time.com/money/3578338/just-mayo-hellmanns-mayonnaise-lawsuit/) against Hampton Creek, arguing the lack of eggs in its Just Mayo disqualifies the product from being classified as a mayonnaise. Unilever [dropped the suit](http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-12-19/unilever-withdraws-lawsuit-against-just-mayo-maker-hampton-creek) less than a month later, with a company spokesperson saying in a statement, “We believe Hampton Creek will take the appropriate steps in labeling its products going forward.” The letter from the FDA also takes issue with Hampton Creek’s claim that Just Mayo is “cholesterol free,” as well as the website tagline “You’ll never find cholesterol in our products,” saying that “it is an unauthorized synonym for ‘cholesterol free.'” The FDA has asked Hampton Creek to respond within 15 business days of receiving the letter. Hampton Creek has yet to do so, and did not immediately respond to TIME’s request for comment. ### Coffee  Latte Getty Images Grabbing some [java](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20478472,00.html) every morning doesn’t just jump-start your day—that cup of joe has bioactive compounds that may help protect your skin from [melanoma](http://news.health.com/2015/04/13/5-warning-signs-of-melanoma/) (the fifth most common cancer in the U.S.), according to a recent report in the _Journal of the National Cancer Institute_. Researchers found that the more coffee people downed, the less likely they were to get the disease: Those drinking four cups daily had a 20 percent lower risk of developing malignant melanoma over a 10-year period than non-coffee drinkers. ### Watermelon  Watermelon on red Getty Images The summertime fave is loaded with lycopene. “This antioxidant compound gives [watermelon](http://news.health.com/2014/07/01/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-watermelon/) and [tomatoes](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20723744,00.html) their red color—and helps skin stave off UV damage,” says nutrition pro Keri Glassman, RD, founder of NutritiousLife.com. Researchers believe that the melon contains as much as 40 percent more of the phytochemical than raw tomatoes; that’s the equivalent of an SPF 3, so use it to bolster (not replace) your daily dose of sunscreen. ### Pomegranates  Danny Kim for TIME The seeds of this wonder fruit are bursting with antioxidants, like [vitamin C](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20745689,00.html), that prevent fine lines, wrinkles and dryness by neutralizing the free radicals that weather skin. A study in the _American Journal of Clinical Nutrition_ found that higher vitamin C intake lessened the likelihood of dryness and wrinkles in middle-aged women. Also in the fruit’s arsenal: anthocyanins (which help increase collagen production, giving skin a firmer look) and ellagic acid (a natural chemical that reduces inflammation caused by UV damage). ### Blueberries  Danny Kim for TIME Boost radiance by popping some of these plump little beauties. [Blueberries](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20400297,00.html) supply vitamins C and E (two antioxidants that work in tandem to brighten skin, even out tone and fight off free-radical damage), as well as arubtin, “a natural derivative of the skin lightener hydroquinone,” Dr. Zeichner says. ### Lobster  Canada, Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, Freshly cooked lobster Getty Images High in [zinc](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20929453,00.html), shellfish has anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat a range of skin annoyances, [acne](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20826624,00.html) included. “Zinc accelerates the renewal of skin cells,” says Whitney Bowe, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “That’s why you find the nutrient in many acne medications.” In fact, research shows that people with acne have lower levels of zinc than people with clear skin. ### Kale  Danny Kim for TIME On the long list of [this leafy green](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20675570,00.html)‘s nutrients are vitamin K (it promotes healthy blood clotting, so the blood vessels around the eyes don’t leak and cause _Walking Dead_\-like shadows) and loads of iron. “Insufficient levels of iron in your diet can cause your skin to look pale, making it easier to spot blood vessels under the skin,” explains Howard Murad, MD, associate clinical professor of medicine at UCLA. To max out the benefits, eat the veggie cooked, not raw. ### Eggs  Danny Kim for TIME Your [fingernails](http://www.health.com/health/video/0,,20834530,00.html) (toenails, too) are made of [protein](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20855303,00.html), so a deficiency can turn those talons soft. Keep yours thick and mani-pedi-ready by cracking smart: “Eggs are a good source of biotin, a B complex vitamin that metabolizes amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein,” says Frank Lipman, MD, director of Eleven-Eleven Wellness Center in New York City. ### Walnuts  Danny Kim for TIME Omega-3 fatty acids (found in the natural oils that keep your hair hydrated) and vitamin E (which helps repair damaged follicles) are two secrets behind strong, lustrous strands—and these nuts are full of both, Dr. Lipman says. All you need is 1/4 cup a day. What’s more, [walnuts](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20585485%5F4,00.html) are packed with copper, which will help keep your natural color rich: Studies show that being deficient in the mineral may be a factor in going prematurely gray. ### Avocado  Danny Kim for TIME Like you need another reason to love them: [These rich fruits](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20395687,00.html) are high in oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid that helps skin retain moisture in the outer layer to keep it soft, plump and supple, Dr. Bowe says. ### Cantaloupe  Close-up photo of a slice of a canteloupe with seeds on top Getty Images The sweet melon contains [beta carotene](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20506267%5F2,00.html), or vitamin A, which is believed to regulate the growth of skin cells on your scalp and sebum in the skin’s outer layer, Dr. Zeichner says. This keeps pores from getting clogged and causing flakes. [_This article originally appeared on Health.com_](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20930008,00.html) _More from Health.com:_ * [6 Foods for Beautiful Skin and Hair](http://www.health.com/health/video/0,,20836517,00.html?xid=time) * [15 Biggest Sunscreen Mistakes](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20818090,00.html?xid=time) * [Sleeping Beauty Was Onto Something](http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20906571,00.html?xid=time) ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4009893/hampton-creek-just-mayo-vegan-egg/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4009893/hampton-creek-just-mayo-vegan-egg/"},"headline":"FDA Says Vegan Mayonnaise Can't Be Called Mayo","datePublished":"2015-08-25T17:42:49.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T07:41:31.909Z","description":"FDA rules require mayonnaise to contain eggs; Hampton Creek's Just Mayo doesn't","url":"https://time.com/4009893/hampton-creek-just-mayo-vegan-egg/","keywords":["Diet & Nutrition","FDA","Vegan"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt471eb0e55577769c/698860c23c1639b9a545969b/gettyimages-155276312.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Tanya Basu","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/tanya-basu/"}],"articleSection":"Health","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt471eb0e55577769c/698860c23c1639b9a545969b/gettyimages-155276312.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"155276312","caption":"155276312","creditText":"Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/health/","name":"Health"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/dietnutrition/","name":"Diet & Nutrition"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4009893/hampton-creek-just-mayo-vegan-egg/","name":"FDA Says Vegan Mayonnaise Can't Be Called Mayo"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Should I Eat Butter?","description":"While few health experts would encourage you to eat more of it, 2.5 out of 5 experts gave butter the thumbs up.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/MlbiwnQ6/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2015-06-17T22:04:16.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/MlbiwnQ6.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/4009893/hampton-creek-just-mayo-vegan-egg/","duration":"PT1M46S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/4009893/hampton-creek-just-mayo-vegan-egg/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```