What's up with mayonnaise?

Question

I was just in Atlanta and really wanated to buy a jar of my favorite mayo, Best Foods brand, so I could make sandwiches in my hotel room. To my surprise, the store didn't carry it. The lady at the check out said that they did have it, but it was called "Helmans" She said it was the same thing! I didn't buy it. Is this true? If so, why don't they just caall it the same thing all over the country? That gets confusing if you ask me!

Answer 1

A lot of companies do this. Most of the time, it's because a larger company purchased a smaller company, but they don't want to change the name of the original company because it has name recognition in the area. For example, the grocery store called Safeway in Northern California is called Von's in Southern California. Imagine that Safeway purchased an established grocery store chain named Von's, which was well-known in Southern California. Why would they change the name to Safeway when people are already familiar with the name Von's and presumably have built brand loyalty with that name? If the name was changed to Safeway, Safeway would have to convince loyal Von's shoppers that shopping at Safeway would be just as good, and that costs more money in advertising, and may cost sales revenue if people didn't accept the change right away.

So just buy the Helman's. It's the same thing.

Answer 2

I don't know that Hellman's is made by Best Foods, but they are considered to be of equal quality.

There are lots of regional favorites in the US. I think it makes things more interesting. While visiting in Minnesota I had a friend refer to "Creamettes". I didn't know what she meant, but it was elbow macaroni. Creamettes is the popular brand there so they referred to it by the brand name. Kind of like calling tape "Scotch tape" even if it's not made by the Scotch company.

It's also interesting to see what carbonated beverages are called. Some places it's "pop". Others it's "soda". In the South, it's all referred to as coke even if they're wanting a 7-Up.

Just regional differences, my friend. :-)

Answer 3

Never heard of best foods mayo. Everyone here uses Helmans.

Answer 4

It's all the same, it's just that the brand name is different.
However, since people are now weight and nutritionally conscious, the ingredient of the mayonaise is different for those who are on a diet.
Primarily made of egg yolk and vegetable oil, nowadays there are mayonaise that are made with egg whites and other ingredients to lower the calories and fat. Hence, the different label and name brand.

Answer 5

Seems to be the case:
"Hellmann's Mayonnaise and Best Foods Mayonnaise are made by the same company, Unilever Best Foods. The Hellmann's brand is sold in the East while Best Foods brand in sold in the West. The Hellmann's Web site says:
WHERE-TO-BUY
[Question:] Is Hellmann's available in the West?
[Answer:] West of the Rocky Mountains our products are sold under the Best Foods brand name. "

http://new.cbbqa.com/recipes/Mayonnaise.html

Answer 6

Helman's is the Brand...it is Mayonnaise made by Helman's.

Answer 7

Helmen's is indeed mayonaise. It's just a brand name...like Honda or Chevy. They're both cars, but made by different people. Same idea with the mayonaise.

Answer 8

I know how you feel.I moved to Ca. and I now use Kraft real mayo.When I was living in La. I used Blue Plate.Not here.Hellmans does make Best foods...good luck choosing a new one.

Answer 9

I hate mayonnaise.