Is Real Mayo Halal?

The Ingredient Breakdown

To determine if Real Mayo is Halal, we must look beyond the marketing and examine the chemistry. The base of this condiment is soybean oil and water, emulsified using eggs and egg yolks. Since eggs are generally considered Halal (unless fertilized), the primary structure of the product is compliant. However, the complexity arises with additives.

The most significant flag in this ingredient list is natural flavor. In the food industry, 'natural flavor' is a catch-all term that can hide a variety of sub-ingredients. While it is often derived from plant sources, it can also be derived from animal sources. Furthermore, the label explicitly states that this natural flavor contains mustard. While mustard is a plant, the ambiguity of the 'natural flavor' source is the primary reason this product cannot be given a blanket 'Halal' certification without asking the manufacturer if any animal-derived enzymes or carriers were used.

Other ingredients like vinegar, sugar, and lemon juice concentrate are generally accepted in the Halal diet. The preservative calcium disodium edta is synthetic and safe. Therefore, the only hurdle is the sourcing of that specific flavoring agent.

Nutritional Value

Real Mayo is a calorie-dense condiment, primarily due to its high soybean oil content. A standard serving contains a significant amount of fat, which is typical for mayonnaise. It provides roughly 90-100 calories per tablespoon, mostly from fat. While it contains eggs for protein, the amount is negligible.

Regarding sugar and sodium, the product contains small amounts of sugar and salt. It fits within standard dietary limits for those monitoring sodium intake, but it should be consumed in moderation due to the high fat content. It is free from trans fats, which is a positive nutritional point.