Is Lite Mayonaise Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a condiment is safe for a gluten-free diet, we look beyond the obvious. The primary ingredients in Lite Mayonaise—water, soybean oil, and whole egg—are naturally free of gluten. However, the devil is often in the details, specifically with additives and thickeners.

The ingredient that usually raises a flag for food scientists is food starch-modified. In the United States, if this starch is derived from wheat, the label must explicitly state 'modified food starch (wheat).' Since this product does not specify a source, the manufacturer is using a corn, potato, or tapioca-based starch, both of which are safe for gluten-free consumption. Additionally, the distilled vinegar used here is processed in a way that removes gluten proteins, rendering it safe despite being derived from grain sources in some cases.

Finally, the preservatives sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are synthetic salts that do not contain gluten. While cross-contamination is always a risk in manufacturing facilities, the ingredient list itself shows no direct gluten flags.

Nutritional Value

As a 'lite' product, this mayonnaise is formulated to reduce fat and calories compared to the full-fat counterpart. It relies heavily on water and soybean oil to maintain texture while cutting caloric density. For those on a keto or low-carb diet, the carb count is generally negligible, though the modified food starch adds a trace amount of carbohydrates.

It is important to note that 'lite' does not always mean 'low sugar.' While this specific formulation doesn't list added sugars high up, the inclusion of lemon juice concentrate adds a slight natural sugar content. Compared to standard mayonnaise, the calorie reduction is significant, making it a viable option for calorie-restricted diets, provided the sodium content (from salt and sodium benzoate) fits within your daily limits.