The CEO of the American Egg Board, Joanne Ivy, has stepped
down after a series of emails obtained under the Freedom of Information Act
exposed the AEB for engaging in aggressive intimidation tactics to stifle the
success of Hampton Creek’s plant-based egg products.
According to ABC
News, “The early departure comes as the USDA investigates the egg board
regarding its actions related to Hampton Creek, a San Francisco startup that
makes the eggless mayonnaise alternative Just Mayo.
Among other things, the emails revealed that Ivy advised
Unilever (the makers of Hellmann’s mayonnaise) in litigation against Hampton
Creek. Unilever’s frivolous lawsuit claimed that Hampton Creek falsely advertised
its plant-based mayonnaise as real mayonnaise by calling it mayo. One month after
filing, Unilever dropped its
lawsuit.
But that’s not all.
The
Guardian reports that in a possible breach of federal regulations, the AEB
also “targeted popular food bloggers, major publications and a celebrity chef as
part of its sweeping effort to combat a perceived threat from an
egg-replacement startup backed by some of Silicon Valley’s biggest names.
Egg-laying hens are subjected to horrific factory farming abuses,
including extreme confinement, mutilations without painkillers, and a ruthless
slaughter. Fortunately, companies like Hampton Creek are proving that you don’t
need animals to continue enjoying your favorite foods.
You can take a stand for egg-laying hens and help hold the
egg industry accountable for its actions by leaving eggs off the menu.
Click here for delicious
vegan recipes and tips on making the switch.