USDA Investigating American Egg Board over Campaign Against Just Mayo

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) has reportedly launched an investigation into the
American Egg Board (AEB) following the release of emails that allegedly
revealed a concerted campaign against Hampton Creek, the manufacturer
of an egg-free mayonnaise-like spread called Just Mayo. According
to The Guardian, the announcement comes after calls for a congressional
investigation by Hampton Creek CEO Josh Tetrick and others.

“Recent news reports have brought to light a series of emails, obtained
under the Freedom of Information Act, that contain compelling evidence
that [American Egg Board] leadership, including the Egg Board’s President
and CEO, may have violated the federal laws and administrative
regulations governing checkoff programs,” stated U.S. Sen. Mike Lee
(R-Utah) in an October 20 letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack about
the emails. Additional details about the AEB emails and litigation against
Hampton Creek appear in Issues 578 and 549 of this Update.

“AMS is conducting a thorough administrative review of issues involving
the American Egg Board. This involves a substantial amount of material,
and while AMS expects to complete the review in an expeditious
manner, a complete review will take some time. AMS will not comment
on personnel matters involving the board,” a USDA spokesperson was
quoted as saying. See The Guardian, October 23, 2015.

Issue 583