FDA and Crazy Food Laws

[saevel25]

Quote:

The FDA also claims Hampton Creek's Just Mayo and Just Mayo Siracha are "misbranded" because they do not meet federal requirements for calling something mayonnaise. Under federal law, only foods 1) containing at least 65 percent vegetable oil, 2)vinegar and/or lemon juice, and 3) some sort of egg-yolk product may be labeled mayonnaise. It can also contain preservatives, salt, sweeteners, spices, flavoring, and monosodium glutamate, but only "provided it does not impart to the mayonnaise a color simulating the color imparted by egg yolk." Any other ingredients are forbidden.

Want to sell mayonnaise with an egg substitute, lime juice, or slightly less vegetable oil? Too bad—the FDA does not think the market can handle such ingredient chaos.

Contra the FDA rules, Hampton Creek's mayo doesn't contain egg yolks (or any other animal-based ingredients). It does, however, contain several ingredients that may up the nutrient factor compared to typical mayo, such as pea protein and beta-carotene. These ingredients are in violation of federal mayonnaise law.

It's a bit absurd that we have all these laws by the FDA being that specific on what should or should not be defined as mayonnaise.

It's like how Tomatoes are federally regulated as a vegetable, yet they are a fruit.

To me as long as the product has an emulsion based around primarily an oil based product then it is mayonnaise. I don't believe egg yolk should be the defining factor here.

I guess someone bitched up a storm about it and some government person decided to "defend the integrity of mayonnaise for the good of our nation" :D

[nevets88]

Or Hellman's got their fixer to... "fix it".

[jamo]

You can make an emulsion using ground mustard seeds instead of egg yolks - that doesn't make is mayonnaise. If something doesn't meet the definition of mayo, why should they be able to sell it to me as mayo? And not only mayo, but "Just Mayo." The piece you quoted (or at least the part you copied) doesn't mention the fact that they specifically put a silhouette of an egg on the front of the container despite the product not containing any egg. To me, when you call something mayo, and you put an egg on the front of the product, I'd expect there to be some egg in there. If you want to pick nits and say that the rules about the percentage of oil or whether or not you're allowed to color it are a bit over the top, fine, but to me this is a pretty basic one. ------------- Also, I'm sorry, but **** whoever wrote that. You're allowed to "sell mayonnaise with an egg substitute, lime juice, or slightly less vegetable oil," just don't call it "Just Mayo" and don't put a damn egg on the front of the package. From everything I've read, that's what people were objecting to, and that's what the FDA's letter spent most of its time talking to. People do a lot of complaining about the media not being unbiased - to me, shit like this is the epitome. (Side not: I actually don't even eat mayo. :-))

[billchao]

To me as long as the product has an emulsion based around primarily an oil based product then it is mayonnaise.

What if it's an aioli?

Seriously though, I don't really care about this kind of stuff. Labeling something as "mayonnaise" or not is really at the bottom of my list of FDA offenses, right next to Asian-style noodles as not technically "noodles" per FDA definitions. I'm saving my pitchfork and torches for other issues.

[Bananarama]

I agree with Jamo, if I am buying Mayonnaise I want to buy Mayonnaise with a known ingredient list, not some mix of other food products to produce something that looks and has the same texture of mayonnaise.

Its not obsurd at all to define a food product.  Im referencing Europe here where the manufacturing location is important as well as the strict ingredient list -  have you noticed that you cannot buy a Normandie Camembert which has been made in Poland?  Or Champagne that has been made in New Zealand?

PS: I also prefer Butter to Hydrogenated oils and Margarine and Ice Cream to Frozen Dairy Dessert

[Bananarama]

I work for a pharma and cosmetic company, half our products are oil water emulsions and definitely not Mayo...  I don't really want to eat those, you could, but it wouldn't taste very well with lettuce or tomato.

Hmm, I guess I'm that guy who stood up for Mayo! Mayo Rights!

[phan52]

It's a bit absurd that we have all these laws by the FDA being that specific on what should or should not be defined as mayonnaise.

It's like how Tomatoes are federally regulated as a vegetable, yet they are a fruit.

To me as long as the product has an emulsion based around primarily an oil based product then it is mayonnaise. I don't believe egg yolk should be the defining factor here.

I guess someone bitched up a storm about it and some government person decided to "defend the integrity of mayonnaise for the good of our nation" :D

I have no problem with it. If it is not mayonnaise they should not be allowed to call it mayonnaise. If it is a substitute they should have to call it that.

[dkolo]

It's not unlike how Pringles can't legally call themselves a chip because they're not made from whole potatoes. Sure I call it a chip colloquially, but I understand why it's important that they have to call themselves "crisps"

[StefanUrkel]

Nanny state always knows whats best