Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise
Red flags
- −Red flag: High sodium (727mg per 100g)
- −Red flag: High saturated fat (8.4g)
- −Red flag: Contains trans fat (0.5g)
- −Red flag: Contains Potassium Sorbate
Green flags
Nothing stands out in its favour.
Ingredients, decoded
11 listed- Refined Soybean Oil (Fortified with Vitamin A & D)
- Water
- Sugar
- Thickeners-E 1442, E 1450
- Natural Vinegar
- Iodised Salt
- Spices & Condiments
- Lemon Juice Concentrate
- Preservative-E 202
- Nature Identical and Natural Flavouring Substances
- Sequestrant-E 385
EC4
How EC4 breaks down
Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 g.
Very low nutrient density
- Protein
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
- Vitamins and minerals
- None declared
- Energy
- 502 kcal
Scored on protein, fibre and twelve vitamins and minerals, against the Codex and FSSAI "source" and "high" levels, per 100 g and per 100 kcal.
Mixed processing and additives
- Base
- Refined Soybean Oil
- Main fat
- Refined Soybean Oil
- Sweeteners
- Sugar
- Additives
- 4
- Flagged
- Potassium Sorbate
Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.
High risk
- Added sugar
- 4 g
- Sodium
- 727 mg
- Saturated fat
- 8.4 g
- Trans fat
- 0.5 g
Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.
Common questions
Is Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise healthy?
Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise scores EC4 (Poor) on CleanPlate, which makes it best kept as a rare treat rather than a regular buy. The main concerns are: High sodium (727mg per 100g); High saturated fat (8.4g); Contains trans fat (0.5g); Contains Potassium Sorbate.
What does the EC4 score mean?
The first letter (E) grades nutritional value: very low nutrient density. The second letter (C) grades ingredient and label integrity: mixed processing and additives. The number (4) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): high risk.
Which ingredients in Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise should I watch?
Preservative-E 202 (Potassium Sorbate).
Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.