When purchasing a bottle of mayonnaise, there are several factors to keep in mind, with cost likely being the most significant for many buyers. Often, opting for a cheaper product can be a smart choice. However, when it comes to mayonnaise, quality should not be ignored—especially in light of a viral TikTok video.
In the clip, shared by user kemos.therapy, an unopened jar of Clover Valley mayonnaise is seen on a store shelf with a layer of white gloop at the bottom and oil floating on top. When the jar is shaken, the contents blend together, returning to a mayonnaise-like consistency.
The TikTok user described the separated mayonnaise as "disgusting" and warned that consuming it could "make you sick." The appearance of the split product is indeed unappealing and not something one would expect to see on a store shelf, prompting advice to choose a different, intact jar. However, as with many things on social media, the science behind these claims is missing. Split mayonnaise is unlikely to make you ill, and here's why.
In the case of separated mayonnaise, the issue is often a result of improper storage, where temperatures drop too low for the product to remain stable. Mayonnaise consists primarily of oil and vinegar—two ingredients that naturally repel each other. The egg yolk, specifically its lecithin content, acts as an emulsifier, allowing these two to mix. However, when the mayo is exposed to cold temperatures (like in a fridge’s colder spots), the oil solidifies, disrupting the emulsifying process and causing separation.