On October 31, 2014, corporate giant Unilever filed suit against a small San Francisco-based startup called Hampton Creek. Unilever makes Hellmann's mayonnaise -- the biggest selling mayonnaise there is. Hampton Creek makes a new vegan mayonnaise substitute it calls "Just Mayo."
Unilever alleges that calling this spread "Just Mayo" is false advertising and deceptive to consumers, who might believe it is actually mayonnaise. Mayonnaise, according to the FDA, must contain eggs. As a vegan product, of course, Just Mayo does not contain any eggs. It also doesn't call itself "mayonnaise" anywhere on its labeling. It does, however, clearly state that it is egg-free.
Nevertheless, Unilever is pursuing Hampton Creek in court. Unilever's complaint seeks to stop the company from calling its product "Just Mayo." Unilever also wants all the jars off store shelves, all the profit the company made from this product, plus triple damages and attorneys fees. All this because Just Mayo is selling well and cutting into Hellmann's market share.
Does this sound like a major corporation bullying a smaller, increasingly successful one out of existence? Many consumers believe that's exactly what's happening here.
If you think so too, please sign this petition to ask the president and CEO of Unilever to drop this lawsuit. Consumer know exactly what they're buying when they purchase Just Mayo -- and it's not mayonnaise.
Dear Mr. Polman:
Those who have signed this petition, like many other members of the public, were distressed and perplexed to learn that Unilever has filed a lawsuit against startup Hampton Creek over its "Just Mayo" vegan spread.
Contrary to your company's assertions, consumers are pretty bright. We know when we put Just Mayo in our shopping carts that we're buying something other than mayonnaise. That's pretty much the point -- we want a mayonnaise substitute. This is particularly true for vegans, who buy products like this because they are plant-based and contain no eggs.
It's inappropriate to squelch competition by forcing small companies to their knees with expensive litigation. We urge you to drop this suit. There's room in the world for both products and consumers know the difference.
We thank you for giving this matter the attention it deserves.
