By SARA CAGLE and AMY BOYINGTON
Hellmann's Delicatessen, owned by Richard Hellman, originally sold two versions of mayo, and the blue ribbon was used to distinguish his favorite one. The logo symbolizes its high quality, as first-place prize winners at state fairs usually receive blue ribbons.
The Best Foods brand became popular on the West Coast at the same time as Hellmann’s did on the East. When Postum Cereal Company acquired both companies, they decided to retain the names, and while parent company Unilever insists that the recipes are identical, some fans say there's a difference.
To be classified as real mayonnaise, the FDA requires products to include egg yolks and vegetable oil. However, “mayo” products, such as Miracle Whip and Just Mayo, are not required to have these.
Mrs. Paul Price developed Hellmann’s infamous chocolate mayonnaise cake in 1937. Also known as World War 2 chocolate cake or Depression-era chocolate cake, this cake originated during a period when pricey ingredients were scarce, but there was always a jar of mayo.
Hellmann’s claims to be working towards a more environmentally friendly production process, using 100% cage-free eggs and sustainably sourced oils. They have also begun packaging some of their products with recycled plastic, and they aim to make all of their materials reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.