Hellmann's Mayonnaise Goes Free Range

Hellmanns Mayonnaise to be made with 100 per cent free-range eggs from February.

HELLMANN`S Mayonnaise will be made using only free-range eggs from the end of this month and by July 2008 all Hellmann’s Mayonnaise on sale in foodservice and retail will be free-range.

Susan Gregory, category marketing director, Unilever Foodsolutions, says: “We proactively decided to make the change to free-range eggs in Hellmann`s Mayonnaise for foodservice back in 2006 and we have been working on the project ever since.

"Hellmann`s is a large user of eggs and as the nation’s favourite mayonnaise, we had to ensure that we could keep up with demand while ensuring that the quality and taste remained the same.

"At the time there simply weren’t enough free-range eggs available to satisfy demand. However, now that production of free-range eggs has increased we are able to move our supply and ensure better living standards and quality of life for the laying hens we use.

Susan added: “Recent high profile campaigns by Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittenstall have led to surges in demand for free-range chickens and eggs3, and changing our eggs to free-range for Hellmann`s Mayonnaise has come at a good time.

"We hope that this transition coupled with Unilever`s collaboration with the Rainforest Alliance to obtain certification for PG tips and Lipton teas, will make it easier for operators to satisfy consumer demand for ethical and sustainable products out of home.”

Hellmann`s Mayonnaise made with free-range eggs for foodservice will be available from 3663 First for Foodservice, from July 2008. Terence McMaw, 3663 marketing controller, said: “We are very pleased with Unilever’s decision to use free range eggs in one of its most popular products.

"Listing the new Hellmann`s Mayonnaise reaffirms the importance of 3663 supplying good quality and where possible, ethically sourced products to our customers, and aligns with our sustainability values.”

For further information about Hellmann`s Mayonnaise and other Hellmann’s products available to foodservice, please call the Unilever Careline on 0800 783 3728 (calls may be recorded) or visit www.unileverfoodsolutions.co.uk.