For years, mayonnaise has gotten a bad rap as a food poisoning culprit. This reputation may stem from the days when people regularly made mayonnaise at home. Homemade mayonnaise usually contains raw eggs, which can harbor salmonella bacteria, a potential source of serious food poisoning. Commercial mayonnaise contains pasteurized eggs, as well as vinegar and salt or lemon juice. These ingredients acidify and preserve mayonnaise, so it's actually a very safe product. Of all the ingredients in your sandwich, mayonnaise is probably the least problematic one, unless you're using homemade mayo made with raw eggs.

Mayonnaise probably won't cause food poisoning, but the fillings that usually go with it can. Dairy and meat products, including sliced cheese, eggs, tuna fish and cured deli meats, all harbor bacteria which can cause food-borne illness. Bacteria quickly multiplies when food is left in the "danger zone" -- which includes temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the USDA. Any prepared food should be tossed if it's been left out for several hours. Always keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.

Indoors, you can safely leave a sandwich out for up to two hours after making it, according to the USDA. After that, bacteria starts to multiply rapidly. In hot weather the margin of safety is cut to one hour. Don't take chances. Refrigerate sandwiches or pack your lunch box with an ice pack. If a sandwich feels warm to the touch, don't eat it. These guidelines go for all prepared lunch foods, including potato salad, yogurt, baked beans and even green salad. Shelf-stable foods, such as potato chips and cookies, can be stored at room temperature.

Don't be scared off from making your own mayonnaise because of the fear of food poisoning. Homemade mayonnaise is simple to make, and you can whip up gourmet versions by adding dill, chipotle chili powder or grainy mustard. Just be sure to use a pasteurized egg product rather than fresh eggs in the mayonnaise. Raw eggs must be heated to 160 degrees F. to destroy bacteria, which would ruin the mayonnaise. Pasteurized egg products have been heated commercially to destroy bacteria without cooking the egg.