What's the Cleanest Mayonnaise?

slug: whats-the-cleanest-mayonnaise

title: "What's the Cleanest Mayonnaise?"

teaser: "Most 'olive oil' mayos are actually soybean oil in disguise—here’s what to buy instead."

category: pantry-staples

subcategory: vinegars

verdict: clean

status: published

is_new: true

updated: 2026-03-03

tldr: >

The cleanest mayonnaise is made with 100% avocado oil or 100% olive oil, not a blend. Primal Kitchen and Chosen Foods are the top picks, using pure avocado oil and organic eggs without preservatives. Avoid "olive oil" mayos from big brands like Hellmann's—they are usually mostly soybean or canola oil.

key_findings:

• "Olive Oil" mayonnaise from major brands is often a blend containing mostly canola or soybean oil.
• Primal Kitchen is the strictest "clean" option, using only 6 ingredients and no water.
• Chosen Foods tastes the most like traditional mayo while still being 100% avocado oil-based.
• Calcium Disodium EDTA is a synthetic preservative found in almost all conventional mayos to maintain color.

sources:

• title: "Evaluation of the oxidative stability of mayonnaise enriched with olive leaf extract"

url: "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33464522/"

type: study

• title: "FDA Code of Federal Regulations: Calcium disodium EDTA"

url: "https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=172.120"

type: fda

• title: "Omega-6 Vegetable Oils as a Driver of Coronary Heart Disease"

url: "https://openheart.bmj.com/content/5/2/e000898"

type: study

recommendations:

• name: "Mayo with Avocado Oil"

brand: "Primal Kitchen"

verdict: recommended

note: "The gold standard. 100% avocado oil, organic eggs, glass jar, no sugar."

• name: "Classic Avocado Oil Mayo"

brand: "Chosen Foods"

verdict: recommended

note: "Best taste. 100% avocado oil and organic ingredients; creamier than Primal Kitchen."

• name: "Avocado Oil Mayonnaise"

brand: "Sir Kensington's"

verdict: acceptable

note: "Good ingredients but watch for sugar in some varieties; confirm 'Avocado Oil' on label."

• name: "Olive Oil Mayonnaise"

brand: "Hellmann's / Best Foods"

verdict: avoid

note: "Deceptive marketing. Primarily soybean oil with a splash of olive oil and preservatives."

related:

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• is-ketchup-healthy
• is-sriracha-safe
• whats-the-cleanest-apple-cider-vinegar-brand

suggested_articles:

• title: "Is Calcium Disodium EDTA Safe?"

reason: "It's in almost every jarred condiment—readers need a deep dive on this specific preservative."

• title: "Primal Kitchen vs. Chosen Foods: Which Mayo Tastes Better?"

reason: "A taste test comparison, as flavor is the biggest barrier to switching for many people."

• title: "Why Is It So Hard to Find Real Olive Oil Mayo?"

reason: "Investigating the supply chain reasons why 100% olive oil mayo is virtually non-existent in the US."

The Short Answer

The cleanest mayonnaise is Primal Kitchen Mayo with Avocado Oil. It uses 100% avocado oil, organic cage-free eggs, and comes in a glass jar with no added sugar, water, or preservatives.

Chosen Foods Classic Avocado Oil Mayo is a very close second. It is also 100% avocado oil-based and arguably tastes better to those used to conventional mayo (it's creamier and less "oily").

Stop buying "Olive Oil" mayonnaise from brands like Hellmann's, Best Foods, or Kraft. These are marketing tricks. Flipping the bottle reveals that the first ingredient is almost always water, soybean oil, or canola oil—not olive oil.

Why This Matters

Real mayonnaise needs only three things: oil, egg yolk, and acid (vinegar/lemon). Conventional brands have turned this simple staple into a chemistry experiment to extend shelf life and cut costs.

The "Olive Oil" Lie

This is one of the grocery store's biggest scams. Brands label jars "Made with Olive Oil," but the primary oil is usually soybean or canola oil. These highly processed seed oils are high in Omega-6 fatty acids, which can contribute to inflammation when consumed in excess. Is Canola Oil Healthy

The Preservative Problem

Almost all conventional mayos contain Calcium Disodium EDTA. This synthetic chelating agent prevents the mayonnaise from turning brown (oxidizing). While the FDA deems it safe in limited amounts, it is a synthetic additive used strictly for aesthetics and shelf stability, not nutrition.

Plastic vs. Glass

Fat-soluble compounds can leach chemicals from plastic containers. Since mayonnaise is essentially 80% liquid fat, it acts as a solvent. Buying mayonnaise in glass jars is a critical step in reducing microplastic and plasticizer exposure. Bpa In Canned Foods

What's Actually In [Product]

Here is what you are actually eating when you buy the "healthy" version of a conventional brand.

Hellmann's "Olive Oil" Mayonnaise:

• Water — The main ingredient is not oil, but water (cheap filler).
• Soybean Oil — The actual primary fat source. Is Soybean Oil Bad
• Olive Oil — Added in small amounts just to justify the label.
• Modified Potato Starch — A thickener required because they used too much water.
• Sugar — Added sweetness.
• Calcium Disodium EDTA — Synthetic preservative.

Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayo:

• Avocado Oil — 100% of the oil content.
• Organic Eggs — Certified Humane.
• Organic Vinegar — Natural acid.
• Sea Salt — Mineral rich.
• Organic Rosemary Extract — A natural antioxidant preservative.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• 100% Avocado or Olive Oil — Look for the word "100%" or check the ingredient list. It should be the first ingredient.
• Organic/Pasture-Raised Eggs — Higher nutrient density and better animal welfare.
• Glass Jar — Prevents plastic leaching into the high-fat product.
• Rosemary Extract — The natural alternative to chemical preservatives.

Red Flags:

• "Made with" — "Made with Olive Oil" is code for "mostly soy/canola."
• Calcium Disodium EDTA — The hallmark of processed mayo.
• Soybean/Canola Oil — Cheap, inflammatory fillers.
• "Natural Flavors" — Often used to mask the taste of lower-quality oils.

The Best Options

If you want a clean mayonnaise, you are effectively choosing between Primal Kitchen and Chosen Foods.

Taste Note: Primal Kitchen has a distinct, tangy flavor because it uses no water or sugar. Chosen Foods adds water and a mustard blend, creating a "whipped" texture that mimics Hellmann's much more closely.

The Bottom Line

1. Switch to Avocado Oil Mayo. It is the most accessible "clean" option in US grocery stores.

2. Check the first ingredient. If it says "Water" or "Soybean Oil," put it back.

3. Buy Glass. Mayo is high-fat and sits in the jar for weeks; glass is safer than plastic.

FAQ

Why is there no 100% Olive Oil Mayo?

Real olive oil has a very strong flavor that becomes bitter when emulsified in a high-speed blender. Most companies use avocado oil because it is flavor-neutral. The only true 100% olive oil mayos (like Hunter & Gather) are often found in the UK or specialty shops, not standard US grocery stores.

Is Calcium Disodium EDTA bad for you?

It is a synthetic preservative used to keep mayo white. While "generally recognized as safe" by the FDA, it is a chemical chelator. In a clean diet, there is no reason to consume it when natural preservatives like rosemary extract work perfectly fine.

Does Primal Kitchen mayo taste different?

Yes. Because it lacks sugar and water fillers, it is richer and tangier than "normal" mayo. If you hate the taste, try Chosen Foods, which uses a different emulsification process to get that classic "fluffy" texture.