Eggs are an animal product that comes from chickens and other birds such as ducks and quails. To produce eggs, hens are often kept in intensive conditions, where they are exploited to lay as many eggs as possible. This means they live under cramped, stressful, and unhealthy conditions.

Why should we not consume eggs?

Animal Welfare: In the egg industry, hens are often kept in small cages or cramped spaces where they can barely move. Even if eggs are labeled as “free-range” or “organic,” the hens still live in conditions that are far from natural or ethical. Additionally, male chicks are culled immediately after hatching because they cannot produce eggs, leading to immense suffering and waste of life.

Exploitation: Egg production is about exploiting hens to maximize the number of eggs they produce, which is a direct example of animal exploitation. After a period of intensive egg production, hens are often culled when their egg production declines, even though they could otherwise live a longer, natural life.

Environmental Impact: Egg production has a significant environmental impact, including high water usage and greenhouse gas emissions. Keeping large numbers of poultry for egg production also requires extensive land and resources, contributing to environmental degradation and reduced biodiversity.

Health and Hygiene: Eggs are a common source of bacteria such as salmonella, which can cause serious health issues in humans. This is a risk that can be completely avoided by choosing plant-based alternatives.

Plant-based Alternatives

There are many plant-based alternatives to eggs that can be used in cooking and baking without contributing to animal exploitation. If you’re baking, the choice of substitute depends on the purpose of the egg, but popular options include aquafaba, applesauce, flaxseed mixed with water, cornstarch, or an egg replacement product, like No Egg. In cooking, you can use crumbled tofu or silken tofu for an egg-like texture, and black salt (kala namak) for an eggy flavor.