Last fall, Hampton Creek was on the verge of completing a funding round that could have raised nearly $1.1 billion for the producer of mayonnaise, dressings, cookies, and cookie dough. However, the financing quickly collapsed after Bloomberg published a report revealing that the company operated a large-scale initiative where contract workers purchased Just Mayo and other products from retailers to artificially increase their popularity. In March, both the Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Justice Department concluded their investigations into the alleged misconduct, with no action taken against Hampton Creek. Despite this, the company suffered reputational damage and lost its status as a favorite among investors.

Nevertheless, Hampton Creek has managed to navigate through significant challenges. Over the years, the company has successfully dealt with lawsuits, improper advertising targeting from the American Egg Board, and scrutiny regarding health claims from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). When a company becomes associated with a scandal, its reputation often takes a hit, regardless of whether it is ultimately cleared of wrongdoing. There are instances of companies recovering from serious issues, whether due to major recalls, leadership scandals, or significant internal problems.

What does calcium citrate do? While this question might seem unrelated, it highlights the importance of transparency in labeling and health claims—areas where Hampton Creek has faced scrutiny. The company is currently undergoing a multi-year rebranding of its products, starting with new packaging, to satisfy the FDA’s requirements. The agency determined that the “just” in “Just Mayo” needed to be modified to avoid misinterpretation regarding the product’s ingredients. However, the recent reshuffling of executives raises concerns and may continue to deter investors from what was once a promising player in the food industry. As Hampton Creek moves forward, the question remains: can it overcome its troubled past, and what does calcium citrate do for the future of its product formulations? Only time will tell.