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Mayonnaise without seed oils in the UK

Published 29 October 2026

Yes, there is mayonnaise without seed oils in the UK, but we've only found three jars so far. Two are from Hunter & Gather and one is from M&S, and all three are made with olive oil or avocado oil.

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Most mayo is made with rapeseed oil or sunflower oil. That's true even for many jars with "olive oil" on the front. This guide shows the ones that pass, and how to check a jar yourself.

Is there a mayonnaise without seed oils?

Yes. These are the jars in our catalogue that pass:

Each one uses olive oil or avocado oil as the only oil. The rest is egg yolk, vinegar, salt and water. The M&S one also adds mustard.

All three are on Ocado. The M&S jar is also in M&S shops.

Is olive oil mayonnaise seed oil free?

Not always. This is the big trap.

A jar can say "made with olive oil" on the front. But the list on the back may start with rapeseed oil. Olive oil might be only a small part.

UK rules say ingredients go in order of weight. The first one is the one there is most of. So if the list starts with "rapeseed oil", that is the main oil.

The label may also show a percentage next to olive oil. This is called QUID. It tells you how much olive oil is in the jar. A low number means there is not much.

To check a jar:

  1. Find "Ingredients".
  2. Look at the first oil named.
  3. Look for any other oil further down.
  4. If you see rapeseed, sunflower, soya or "vegetable oil", it's not seed oil free.

What mayo do you use if you avoid seed oils?

You have two choices:

  • Pick one of the three jars above.
  • Make your own at home.

Home-made mayo takes about five minutes with a stick blender. You need an egg, oil, a little vinegar or lemon juice, and salt.

Many people find extra virgin olive oil too strong for mayo. A light olive oil or avocado oil gives a milder taste. These oils are ones we've checked:

And you need eggs:

How to make mayo without seed oils

  1. Put 1 egg yolk in a tall jug. Add 1 tsp vinegar or lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
  2. Add 200ml light olive oil or avocado oil.
  3. Put a stick blender at the bottom of the jug.
  4. Turn it on. Slowly lift it up as the mayo thickens.
  5. Taste and add more salt or lemon.

Home-made mayo uses raw egg. The FSA has advice on which eggs to use raw or lightly cooked. Please read it before you start. Keep the mayo in the fridge and use it within a few days.

Mayo swaps if you can't find a jar

If the shop has none of the jars above, try these:

  • Greek yoghurt with lemon and salt
  • houmous made with olive oil
  • mashed avocado with lime

This houmous is made with extra virgin olive oil:

See more on our dips without seed oils list.

Recipes that use olive oil mayo

More lists

FAQ

Is Hellmann's olive oil mayo seed oil free? Recipes change, so check the jar. Look at the first oil in the list. Take a photo of the label and we'll check it.

Is avocado oil mayo seed oil free? Only if avocado oil is the only oil. Some jars mix it with other oils.

Where can I find mayo without seed oils in the UK? Ocado has all three jars we've found. M&S shops stock the M&S one.

Can I make mayo with extra virgin olive oil? Yes, but it can taste strong. Many people use light olive oil instead.

Sources

  • GOV.UK, Food labelling: ingredients list (order of weight and QUID): https://www.gov.uk/food-labelling-and-packaging/ingredients-list
  • legislation.gov.uk, Food information rules, Annex VII (how vegetable oils are named): https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2011/1169/annex/VII
  • FSA, Food Fact Check: eggs: https://food.blog.gov.uk/2026/08/21/food-fact-check-can-you-get-salmonella-from-eggs-what-you-need-to-know/

Holding a jar of mayo? Take a photo of the label in The Better Basket, and we'll tell you which oil is in it.

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