An association representing companies that make salad dressing has spent much of last year trying to convince federal regulators to come down hard on the manufacturer of a popular brand of vegan mayonnaise, according to emails obtained by the Associated Press.

The Association for Dressings and Sauces has repeatedly urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to take action against "Just Mayo" for labeling its product "mayonnaise." The group claims the company is violating the federal standard defining mayonnaise because it does not use eggs as an ingredient.

The push began after Unilever—the company that make Hellman's mayonnaise—sued Just Mayo for false advertising. Unilever was forced to drop the lawsuit after facing a backlash from Just Mayo supporters, AP reported.

The association continued to pressure FDA into taking action against Just Mayo. Eventually the company adjusted its label to make clear its product doesn't contain eggs.

The group itself doesn't list a mailing address and is run by the association management firm Kellen. In a statement to the AP, it said one of its goals was to uphold federal standards for dressings and sauces.

AP noted that Unilever recently introduced its own eggless spread but does not label it "mayonnaise." http://abcn.ws/1qbUA62

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