Russian Products

As a US citizen you may wonder why we have so many obese people in the USA. I wondered about that too. I think it has to do with products. Let's compare apples to apples.

So, on the left we have Hellmann's - the most popular mayo in the USA. On the right we have Russian mayo that I buy - very popular in Russia. Sloboda is the name of it.
So, let's compare them.

We will start with Hellmann's mayo.
The actual list of ingredients in Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise are (those that are likely directly GMOs are bold): soybean oil, water, whole eggs and egg yolks, vinegar, salt, sugar, lemon juice, calcium disodium EDTA (used to protect quality), natural flavors.

Among the list of ingredients in Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise, the following products are of particular concern:
- Soybean oil: 93 percent of soy in the US is GMO
- Sugar: most of sugar sold in the US is from sugar beets, of which over 90 percent are GMO
- Vinegar: Made from corn, of which 89 percent is GMO
- Eggs: Laying hens (egg-producing chickens) are fed GMO corn and soy.


Let's look at the Russian mayo Sloboda. It says it does not have any GMO's or artificial additives. The ingredients are:
- sunflower oil. GMO is banned in Russia, so it is pure sunflower oil.
- water
- sugar - from sugar beets. GMO is banned in Russia, so only natural beets.
- egg yolk - GMO feed is prohibited in Russia, so there we have natural egg yolks.
- salt, vinegar, mustard oil - All natural products. Sorry to burst your bubble :)

So, you know, since 2016 GMO crops are banned in Russia. It does not allow any GMO crops to be grown on its territory or it does not allow any exports of GMO. So if you planning to own the farm in Russia, you are to remember that no GMO's crops are allowed in the country.

So, what about ketchup?

Let's look at Heinz - you probably heard this brand. We will compare apples to apples, since Heinz has production in Russia too.

HEINZ Ketchup USA

Ingredient List

TOMATO CONCENTRATE FROM RED RIPE TOMATOES, DISTILLED VINEGAR, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CORN SYRUP, SALT, SPICE, ONION POWDER, NATURAL FLAVORING.

Vinegar: Made from corn, of which 89 percent is GMO.
High Fructose Corn Syrup - Corn 89 percent is GMO.
Corn Syrup - Corn 89 percent is GMO.


In case you did not know, studies show that high fructose corn syrup increases your appetite and promotes obesity more than regular sugar. “High fructose corn syrup also contributes to diabetes, inflammation, high triglycerides and something we call non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. So, if you can, stay away from Corn Syrup and High fructose Corn Syrup.

Let's look at Russian Heinz. The one on the right.
Ingredients: Water, Tomato concentrate, sugar, vinegar, salt , spice.

Where is corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup???
Russia banned GMO. Once you move to Russia, you will probably feel cravings for GMO high fructose Corn syrup... No, you will not.

So, we reviewed two popular items that probably everyone has on his/her table. Now, you should have an idea about Russian products and ingredients that are present in them.