ICYMI: American Egg Board CEO Resigns Amid Vegan Mayo Scandal

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.