FDA Says "No Eggs, Not Mayo": VC-backed Hampton Creek's CEO Is Defiant

From the FDA's website:

...FDA’s modern regulatory functions began with the passage of the 1906 Pure Food and Drugs Act, a law a quarter-century in the making that prohibited interstate commerce in adulterated and misbranded food...

According to CrunchBase the seed round was Founders Fund and Khosla with a bunch of Silicon Valley names in B,C and D rounds.

Remember, you can't have silicon without the 'con'.

From Entrepreneur Magazine:

No Eggs, No Mayo: FDA Goes After Hampton Creek for Naming Its Vegan Spread 'Just Mayo' 

Hampton Creek's stated mission is to produce healthy, sustainable and affordable food products.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, it's also misleading consumers by labeling its line of vegan spreads "Just Mayo."

The crux of the issue hinges on eggs. True mayo must contain them, the FDA stipulates. Hampton Creek's line of "Just Mayo" spreads does not, and thus the name is a misnomer at best, misleading at worst. The FDA is making it very clear it's not amused by Hampton Creek's antics, writing in an Aug. 12 warning letter to the company:

"Just" together with "Mayo" reinforces the impression that the products are real mayonnaise by suggesting that they are "all mayonnaise" or "nothing but" mayonnaise. However, your Just Mayo and Just Mayo Sriracha do not meet the definition of the standard for mayonnaise. According to the labels for these products, neither product contains eggs. Additionally, the products contain additional ingredients that are not permitted by the standard of identity for mayonnaise, such as modified food starch.

This is not the first time Hampton Creek has been the target of an egg-based lawsuit. Last year, Unilever (which owns the prominent mayonnaise brand Hellmann's) sued the company over false advertising and unfair competition arguing, essentially, what the FDA is laying down: no eggs, no mayonnaise....MORE

And from Inc.:
Hampton Creek CEO: No Plans to Change Name of 'Just Mayo' Despite FDA Warning

Previously:
Silicon Valley's Favorite Futuristic Food Company, Hampton Creek, May Be A Bit Fraudy