What Does Bioengineered Mean on Hellmann's Mayonnaise?

Since January 1, 2022, food manufacturers have been required by a USDA standard to disclose bioengineered ingredients. For Hellmann's mayonnaise, this label means that some ingredients, such as soybean oil or sugar, come from genetically modified crops. The new label standard aims to increase transparency for consumers.

Quick Summary

The 'bioengineered' label on Hellmann's mayonnaise signals that certain ingredients, like soybean oil, are derived from genetically modified crops under a USDA disclosure standard. The term refers to detectable genetic material created through lab techniques not achievable by traditional breeding, a change from the more commonly known 'GMO' term.

Key Points

• Bioengineered Disclosure: The label is required by the USDA's National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, in effect since 2022, to indicate the presence of genetically engineered food ingredients.

• Soybean Oil is Key: The presence of soybean oil in Hellmann's is the most likely reason for the 'bioengineered' label, as the majority of U.S. soy is genetically engineered.

• Not a Safety Issue: Major regulatory bodies like the FDA and the National Academies of Sciences have found no substantiated evidence that bioengineered foods are less safe than their non-bioengineered counterparts.

• Labeling Exemptions Exist: The standard has several exemptions, including products derived from animals that consumed bioengineered feed and highly refined ingredients where the modified DNA is no longer detectable.

• Transparency for Consumers: The labeling provides consumers with more information, enabling them to make purchasing decisions based on their personal preferences regarding genetically engineered ingredients.

• Alternative Mayonnaise Options: Consumers can find non-GMO or organic versions of mayonnaise, including offerings from Hellmann's itself, for alternatives that do not contain bioengineered ingredients.

The U.S. National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, passed by Congress in 2016, requires food manufacturers to disclose bioengineered ingredients, with mandatory compliance beginning January 1, 2022. Under this standard, "bioengineered food" contains detectable genetic material modified using laboratory techniques not possible through conventional breeding or found in nature. Any product with ingredients containing this detectable modified genetic material requires disclosure.

The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) manages this labeling program. Unilever, the owner of Hellmann's, adheres to this standard, providing consumers with information about food production methods, even when ingredients are processed.

Why Hellmann's Mayonnaise Contains Bioengineered Ingredients

The most common bioengineered ingredient in Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise is soybean oil. A significant portion of U.S. soybeans are genetically engineered, often for herbicide resistance. Other potential sources include sugar from bioengineered sugar beets or vinegar from corn. Highly refined ingredients like soybean oil and sugar may not have detectable modified genetic material in the final product. However, some companies like Unilever still include the disclosure based on the ingredient's source, offering greater transparency.

The Debate and Exemptions Surrounding Bioengineered Labeling

The Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard sparked debate, with critics arguing the exemptions are too broad, particularly for highly refined ingredients and products from animals fed bioengineered feed. Several exemptions exist, including:

• Animals fed bioengineered feed: Products like milk, eggs, and meat from animals consuming bioengineered crops are not required to be labeled. Hellmann's uses cage-free eggs but doesn't specify the feed source.
• Small manufacturers and restaurants: Very small food manufacturers and food served in restaurants are exempt.
• Unintentional presence threshold: Foods with less than 5% unintentional bioengineered substances per ingredient are not considered bioengineered.

These exemptions mean the bioengineered label isn't present on all products derived from genetically engineered crops, which is seen as a limitation by some.

Comparing Different Mayonnaise Options

Consumers comparing mayonnaise will find differences in ingredients and labeling, particularly between traditional Hellmann's and non-GMO or organic alternatives.

Feature	Hellmann's Traditional Mayonnaise	Hellmann's Non-GMO/Organic Mayonnaise	Other Non-GMO Brands	Homemade Mayonnaise
Bioengineered Label	Required, states 'Contains a bioengineered food ingredient'.	Absent, because it is sourced without bioengineered ingredients.	Absent, verified by third-party organizations like the Non-GMO Project.	No Label, made from scratch with selected non-bioengineered ingredients.
Primary Oil Source	Typically soybean and/or canola oil, sourced from bioengineered crops.	Sourced from crops guaranteed to be non-GMO, such as expeller-pressed oil.	Uses specific, often expeller-pressed, oils that are third-party verified as non-GMO.	Can use a variety of oils, such as olive, avocado, or sunflower oil, depending on the recipe.
Eggs	Cage-free eggs, but the feed for the hens may contain bioengineered crops.	Eggs come from chickens fed a non-GMO diet to meet certification standards.	Often uses cage-free or pasture-raised eggs from hens fed a non-GMO diet.	Uses fresh eggs from a known source, with full control over the ingredients.
Added Sweeteners	Contains sugar, which can come from bioengineered sugar beets.	Does not contain sugar from bioengineered crops.	Uses non-GMO sweeteners or no added sugar at all.	Often made with no added sugar or a non-GMO alternative.
Key Driver	Cost-effective, consistent production using standard commodity crops.	Responds to consumer demand for non-GMO options.	Focus on clean, transparent sourcing and often higher animal welfare standards.	Ultimate control over every ingredient and flavor profile.

Conclusion

The "bioengineered" label on Hellmann's mayonnaise is mandated by the USDA's standard since 2022. It indicates that ingredients like soybean oil or sugar come from genetically engineered crops. Federal agencies consider such foods safe. The label provides transparency, allowing consumers to choose based on their preferences regarding genetically engineered ingredients. Non-bioengineered alternatives exist, including organic or non-GMO certified mayonnaises from Hellmann's and other brands. The {Link: National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R46183} reflects current food labeling regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 'bioengineered' label mean Hellmann's mayonnaise is unsafe?

No, the label does not mean the product is unsafe. Regulatory bodies like the FDA have consistently found no substantiated evidence that bioengineered foods are less safe than non-bioengineered foods.

What is the specific bioengineered ingredient in Hellmann's mayonnaise?

The most common bioengineered ingredient in Hellmann's is soybean oil, as most soy crops in the US are genetically engineered.

Is 'bioengineered' the same as 'GMO'?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but 'bioengineered' is the specific legal term mandated by the USDA for labeling certain genetically modified foods in the US.

Is all Hellmann's mayonnaise bioengineered?

No, not all Hellmann's products are bioengineered. Hellmann's offers alternatives, such as their Organic Real Mayonnaise, which is certified non-GMO.

Why would highly refined oil be considered bioengineered if the DNA is undetectable?

Under the USDA standard, some manufacturers voluntarily disclose ingredients like highly refined soybean oil as 'derived from bioengineering,' even if the genetic material is not detectable in the final product.

Does the bioengineered label apply to the eggs used in Hellmann's?

No, the label does not apply to the eggs themselves. The USDA standard exempts products from animals that consumed bioengineered feed, so even if the hens ate bioengineered feed, it does not mandate a bioengineered label on the eggs or mayo.

How can I find products that are not bioengineered?

To avoid bioengineered ingredients, you can look for the USDA Organic seal, which prohibits genetically engineered ingredients, or look for the Non-GMO Project Verified label with the butterfly symbol.