The egg industry is
showing its cracks. According to The
Guardian, a series of emails
obtained under the Freedom of Information Act has exposed the American Egg
Board for engaging in aggressive intimidation tactics to stifle the success of
Hampton Creek’s plant-based egg products, including its popular Just Mayo.
The
600 pages of documents and correspondence include threatening emails, such as
one from an egg board member asking,
“Can we pool our money and put a
hit on him?” in reference to Hampton Creek CEO,
Josh Tetrick. Another email revealed American Egg Board CEO, Joanne Ivy, telling
consultant Anthony Zolezzi that she would like “to make that phone call to
keep Just Mayo off Whole Foods shelves.
Ivy also seems to
have masterminded food giant Unilever’s lawsuit against the entrepreneurial
Hampton Creek in which Unilever claimed that Just Mayo should not be called
“mayonnaise since it doesn’t contain eggs. Unilever dropped the frivolous
lawsuit after backlash for its bullying tactic.
The
trade association may also have illegally used funds to prevent Hampton Creek’s
product from reaching consumers.
Why is the egg industry
scrambling? Hampton Creek is creating plant-based alternatives to eggs that are
healthier, more sustainable, and kinder to animals. Consumers love this
positive mission, earning Hampton Creek more and more market share.
You
can help ensure the egg industry is held accountable for its actions and that
innovative plant-based companies are not thwarted by jealous competitors. Sign
and share this petition
now.