Egg industry group CEO steps down after vegan mayo scramble

By CANDICE CHOI
AP Food Industry Writer

NEW YORK (AP) – The CEO of the American Egg Board has stepped down earlier than planned, following the release of emails indicating she tried to stop the sale of a vegan mayonnaise at Whole Foods.

Joanne Ivy retired at the end of September. Before the release of the emails, the egg board said Ivy would retire Dec. 31.

Ivy and representatives of the egg board, which is responsible for the “Incredible, Edible Egg” slogan, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the board, confirmed Ivy’s retirement but declined to comment on the reason.

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.

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