Egg Prices are Soaring as Bird Flu Spreads Across the U.S. These Vegan Egg Alternatives Could be the Solution

EAT

Apr 8

With egg prices rising, now could be the time to dip your toe into the world of plant-based solutions by swapping out the animal-based product for cruelty-free alternatives.

An outbreak of avian influenza is affecting 22 different states in the U.S. and has led to the deaths of more than 17 million birds so far, according to Agriculture Department data.

Commonly known as bird flu, avian influenza is a highly contagious and deadly virus that infects chickens, ducks, turkeys, and wild birds, and spreads through their saliva, mucus, and feces. The virus has been circulating in migrating waterfowl in Europe and Asia for about a year.

At least 90 poultry flocks in the U.S. have already contracted the highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza A variety in the worst avian flu outbreak in the U.S. in seven years.

Over 11 million egg-laying hens, or 3% of the total U.S. flock, as well as two million turkeys being raised for meat, have lost their lives or been destroyed due to this devastating disease.

When the birds contract the infection, they tend to exhibit symptoms, such as depression, paralysis, coughing, swelling of the eyes, and death. When the virus is detected on a farm, officials will suffocate entire flocks with foam or carbon dioxide. The dead bodies are then normally composted in the barns where the birds had been kept or disposed of in a landfill.

One of the hardest-hit states is Iowa, which is America’s main egg producer. More than 13 million hens have been killed in Iowa in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus.

The bird flu is causing egg prices to soar as roughly 3% of all egg-laying hens in the U.S. have been killed prematurely. Since HPAI was confirmed in February, the cost of eggs has climbed by 52%.

The bird flu is particularly alarming as fears over infectious diseases are at an all-time high in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although officials have stated that the risk to public health from this bird flu outbreak is low, it is possible for humans to contract the disease when droplets or dust particles in the air are breathed in, or when a person touches something that has the virus on it then touches their mouth, eyes or nose, according to the CDC. When humans are infected with the virus, there can be grave consequences - the fatality rate is around 60%.

In 2020, when entire countries were living under strict lockdown conditions in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, the United Nations (UN) released a report warning that the global demand for meat consumption and intensive animal farming are among the seven major factors responsible for the increasing threat of new zoonotic diseases.

COVID-19, Ebola, and MERS are just some of the recent zoonotic diseases to have passed from animal sources to the human population. The destruction of the environment - including land degradation, exploitation of wildlife, and resource extraction - is a key factor in the emergence of zoonotic diseases. In particular, the report singled out the increased global demand for animal protein, as well as the rise in intensive farming, as exacerbating the problem.

Rather than continuing our current food system that relies on the mass slaughter and consumption of animals - one that causes the majority of new infectious diseases like COVID-19 and SARS - a post-pandemic world can provide us an opportunity to transform our current system into a safer, healthier and more ecological plant-based food system instead.

What we eat matters: vegan egg alternatives

And with egg prices rising, now could be the time to dip your toe into the world of plant-based solutions by swapping out the animal-based product for cruelty-free alternatives. And you’ll be in good company: research suggests that nearly a third of global consumers are open to eating plant-based eggs instead of conventional ones.

Here are some of the favorites in the plant-powered world:

JUST Egg

The JUST Egg is made from protein-rich mung beans and free from cholesterol, and cooks, looks, and tastes, like the real thing. You can buy a variety of different products, from the pourable mixture ideal for scrambled eggs to the JUST Egg Folded that can be used on toast or in salads. The company has dominated the U.S. market since its 2019 launch, selling the equivalent of nearly 200 million chicken eggs.

Zero Eggs

Made from a unique blend of plant proteins, the Zero Egg scrambles, bakes, binds, spreads, and fluffs, just like an animal-based egg. Products come available in a ready-to-eat patty or liquid form perfect for waffles, scrambles, omelets, and more!

Simply Eggless

This vegan egg is available as both a liquid or a patty and is made up entirely of Lupin Beans and other plant-based ingredients that can be fried, baked, and scrambled just like the real thing.

Follow Your Heart’s VeganEgg

Much-loved vegan brand Follow Your Heart offers a 100% plant-based egg alternative that scrambles, bakes, and binds. It even comes in an egg carton to add that extra dash of authenticity!

As well as these great vegan-egg products, you can also substitute eggs with easy and affordable ingredients that you may already have laying in your pantry:

Aquafaba

Aquafaba is the water leftover in a can of chickpeas! You can whip it up and use it as an egg white substitute for fluffy meringues or frosting, or you can use it as a whole egg alternative when it comes to baking sweet treats such as brownies.

Tofu

High in protein and easy to whip up, tofu can be used to create a delicious alternative to animal-based scrambled eggs. Additionally, silken tofu makes a great egg substitute in baking goods such as cakes and brownies.

Ground Flaxseeds (or chia seeds)

Flaxseeds are an excellent egg replacer and are very in the baking world. They act as a binder, emulsifier, and leavener, and also offer a great deal of fibre and omega-3 fatty acids. To replace one egg, whisk together 1 tablespoon of ground chia or flaxseeds with 3 tablespoons of water until they are fully absorbed and the mixture thickens.

Want to learn more about the plant-based egg industry? Listen to our podcast episode with the co-founder of Eat Just, Josh Balk.

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