I would toss it.

Alexa

I agree,I would toss it.But I am certainly no expert.

Shelley

Although commercial mayonnaise is so full of preservatives that I think it might last forever, I'm think I'd toss it. It's not worth taking a chance on and the quality may have deteriorated, if not the safety.

Annie

Thanks folks. It's already in the trash but just wanted my thoughts confirmed.

Just to add to what's been posted, as Annie said, in all likelihood there's no risk in eating it. The use-by date is principally a response to quality issues, not safety.

Mayonnaise is loaded with acetic acid; strictly speaking it wouldn't even be necessary to refrigerate it after opening (though I wouldn't recommend that). But because it contains a high % of oil, over time, even in a sealed jar, the mayonnaise can turn rancid or the emulsion breaks down. This is particularly true if it's stored in a warm area.

People commonly believe mayonnaise is the risk factor in such foods as potato salad. It's not. If anything, it's a preservative. The boiled eggs are the risk.

The big issue with mayonnaise is avoiding contamination once opened. If you insert a spreader or spoon into the jar and touch the surface of bread, for instance, it's important not to re-insert it.

None of these comments apply to homemade mayonnaise, which lacks the preservatives of the commercial product.

Carol

lovs 2:
Annie, Readinglady, Alexa, Shelley :
Did I get everyone?

I agree with yo'all. Especially if you see what looks like Oil separating.

If it grew eyes, put it in a field and Shoot it.!!!
Guess I'm feeling a little better ???
Lou

{{gwi:1526891}}

I bet it would be alright, but I wouldn't try it. In the trash can it would go.

Lou, great picture. Didn't know you are an artist as well as a cook. I would definitely stay away from that bad boy jar of mayonnaise.

The little blue bow under the word Hellmann's makes him look like he is wearing a bow tie.

Annie (and all),

Your response prompted me to reread the label on my jar of Hellmann's. The only weird item is the last one listed, calcium disodium EDTA. It is listed as added to protect quality. While I am not an expert on this stuff, I do know that health food stores sell it as a dietary supplement. The recommended dose is two 500MG capsules per day. So I would say that store bought mayo is NOT loaded with preservatives. As discussed here, the vinegar makes for enough acid to help protect the product.

Oddly, as I have looked at labels more the last few years, there is really not as much weird stuff in most food as what people think.

Respectfully,

DP

Your point is well-taken. I should have clarified that the "preservative" effect of commercial mayonnaise comes from the precisely calibrated level of acid. That can't be assured in a homemade product.

Carol

Hmmm, DP, you made me go look. My jar of Hellman's in the fridge says (among other ingredients), xanthan gum, sorbic acid, calcium disodium edta to protect quality, phosphoric acid, dl alpha tocopheryl acetate and "natural flavors" as well as citrus peel fibers as "thickeners".

The Kraft that's unopened in the pantry has the usual eggs, oil, etc, but also maltodextrin, potassium sorbate, calcium disodium edta and phosphoric acid.

Having owned a health food store for several years, I can tell you that just because it's sold in a health food store doesn't make it not harmful or not a preservative, we sold ephedra for a long time, and the ex still has untested and unproven herbal remedies on the shelf, and people buy them.

Even "healthy" and "natural" items can be dangerous if misused, Vitamin A is just one example.

Annie

Annie,

Your response made me go to the web site and check. I think you have the "light" Hellmann's. On the web site they have a double asterisk on items not in the regular mayo. The regular is all good stuff. The ingredients list on the one they call "real" mayonnaise is SOYBEAN OIL, WATER, WHOLE EGGS AND EGG YOLKS, VINEGAR, SALT, SUGAR, LEMON JUICE, NATURAL FLAVORS, CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (USED TO PROTECT QUALITY). The light has water in it, which most likely lowers the acidity, and therefor the need for more preservatives. Also the water would call for the use of thickener. In the past I tried some of the low fat or diet dressings and other products. I find them to be very disappointing. I would rather just have less of something I like than to save a some calories here and there eating something I do not like. That is just me, and everyone must make there own choices.

You are so right about health foods. Being unregulated can be good, but also lets a lot of unscrupulous people produce and sell products, making all sorts of claims along the way.

Anyway, this is interesting and we are all learning along the way.

Later,

DP

Just to add another voice.....I also have a jar of "regular" and it lists just what DP iterates.

Well shoot it!

The trash man cometh and the trash man goeth and the jar of Mayo is gone.

It was probably Real Mayo as that is all I buy now with the same philosophy as Annie, but back then (at least 2 years ago right LOL), I wasn't as fussy so who really knows?

My jar lists the same as LndaC's and DP. No strange stuff!

Alexa

I hope you recycled!

I am laughing so hard at Lou! We had an food service size jar of mayo that we left at our upstate home over the winter and found it completely separated when we opened up the house! DH did in fact take it in the woods and use it for target practice! LOL

I'm at work, so I can't check my jar right now, and I'm afraid to even think what might be in Miracle Whip, which I keep to put on my peanut butter sandwiches.

You are probably right, DP, it's probably the light stuff because Elery bought it, I didn't, and he trys to keep my cholesterol level in mind.

Well, except when he's buying cheese, I'm still trying to break him from putting cheese on EVERYTHING. LOL

Annie

Ad an addendum, if there aren't preservatives, I'd definitely toss it, so now I'm double sure that I'd be right to get rid of it!

Annie