Egg Board CEO Retires Sooner Than Expected, Possible Link to Outed Emails Plotting Against "Just Mayo"
CEO of the American Egg Board, Joanne Ivy, stepped down from her position at the end of September - a full three months before she was reportedly scheduled to retire. For those putting together the recent pieces of the puzzle, it seems as if this comes at a time directly following the Associated Press reporting on emails exchanged between Ivy and a consultant, rife with anxiety about the recent success of Hampton Creek‘s Just Mayo. The September 2nd email states that Ivy would:
“… like to accept your offer to make that phone call to keep Just Mayo off Whole Foods shelves.”
So far, the board has declined to make any comments. There is, however, a current investigation being conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture, who oversees the American Egg Board as one of its 20 “checkoff” programs. These programs are meant to promote industries and not to be (caught) trying to take others down. About the investigation, the USDA has said that it does not:
“condone any efforts to limit competing products in commerce.”
In related news, Hampton Creek is scheduled to meet with the Food and Drug Administration in coming weeks about the warning letter it received regarding using the word “mayo” in its promotion and labeling. The ridiculous admonition argues that any product carrying the label “mayo” is understood to consist of mayonnaise, which traditionally includes egg ingredients. Here’s to hoping that the voice of reason will prevail and this sad witch hunt of a threat to big agri-business can be put to rest.
