More Than Likely It Wasn't The Mayo That Made You Sick

Mayonnaise has the bad reputation for always being the culprit for 'picnic poisoning.' At one time they may have been true, however, that was when people made their own mayo using raw eggs which can carry harmful bacteria. Today's store-bought mayonnaise though, is pasteurized and sterile, and according to a study in the Journal of Food Protection, modern mayo may actually hinder the growth of salmonella and other bacteria on food due to the natural acids in the vinegar and lemon juice used to make it. Of course that doesn't mean you should leave it out in the heat all day, all perishable items can spoil if they sit out for over two hours. But it does mean that as long as it will be eaten quickly, you don't have to forgo the potato salad while on your picnic in the park!