SO Hellmann’s® apparently now uses cage-free eggs AND is on a mission to use 100% cage-free eggs in all products by 2020. I applaud their efforts towards a more natural product (and hope that their definition of cage free is cruelty free as well as giving the animals the freedom to roam on a large piece of land), however, they claim to use REAL ingredients and this is NOT true!

Firstly, as shown in fine, white print and very briefly on their latest commercial, their mayo contains “EDTA.” EDTA is a chemical actually used to treat lead poisoning. It can have a toxic effect that is damaging to the liver and kidneys. According to the World Health Organization and the FDA, it is not considered safe to consume more than 2.5 mg/kg/person/day (Product Safety Assessment). So why would you want to consume any?

Secondly, Hellmann’s® uses GMO (genetically modified) soybean oil. No, their product does not say that their soybeans are GMO because in America there are no requirements to do so. 93% of soybeans are GMO in the United States and if they were not genetically modified the product would carry the GMO free label.

Why You Should Think Twice Before Consuming GMOs:

“Before the FDA decided to allow GMOs into food without labeling, FDA scientists had repeatedly warned that GM foods can create unpredictable, hard-to-detect side effects, including allergies, toxins, new diseases, and nutritional problems. They urged long-term safety studies, but were ignored. Since then, findings include: Thousands of sheep, buffalo, and goats dying in India after grazing on Bt cotton plants; mice eating GM corn for the long term had fewer, and smaller, babies; more than half the babies of mother rats fed GM soy died within three weeks, and were smaller; by the third generation, most GM soy-fed hamsters lost the ability to have babies; soy allergies skyrocketed by 50% in the UK; soon after GM soy was introduced, and the stomach lining of rats fed GM potatoes showed excessive cell growth, a condition that may lead to cancer”(Institute for Responsible Technology). On top of this, “The truth is that many natural health experts claim that there is a growing amount of evidence that genetically modified foods have a link to food allergies, intestinal damage, autoimmune disorders, anemia, diabetes, infertility and even cancer.  Independent scientific studies done on the effects of genetically modified foods have produced some incredibly troubling results”(Emergency Food Supply). For more on GMOs, see Do Your Best to Avoid GMOs!

Thirdly, Hellmann’s®  lists ‘natural flavors.’ Contrary to what this sounds like, it actually can mean chemicals! Under FDA guidelines, companies can get away with listing a certain amount and type of ingredient under this term, yet the particular ingredients are less than what it sounds like!

What to Use Instead? – Buy an organic brand or make your own. Making your own is as simple as googling a recipe. Homemade or organic will not taste the same as the mainstream brand that you are used to, but it will be close and free of harmful ingredients!

RESOURCES

93 Percent of Soybeans and 80 Percent of Corn In The U.S. Grow From Seeds Genetically Modified by Monsanto. Emergency Food Supply. Web. February 5, 2012.

GMO Health Dangers. Institute for Responsible Technology. Web. February 4, 1012.

Product Safety Assessment (PSA): Salts of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA). The DOW Chemical Company. May 2, 2006. Web. July 7, 2012.

Opinion of an Expert Panel of Generally Recognized As Safe Use of EDTA for Iron Fortification of Dry Mix Beverage. AAC Consulting Group. Letter. June 3, 2004. Web. July 7, 2012.