Expect to shell out more money if you plan to buy eggs or chicken or turkey flesh anytime soon. An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza—better known as bird flu—has infected birds in at least 18 states, including Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota. More than 17 million chickens and turkeys have either died of the disease or been slaughtered in order to stop additional outbreaks, which spread like wildfire in filthy, extremely crowded animal factories.
This will likely push prices—already high because of inflation—up even further. According to USDA data, egg prices have shot up more than 25% over the past year. And the cost of a chicken breast rose from $3.01 to $3.63 per pound in just one week. Costs may continue to climb in the coming weeks.
Now would be a good time to stop eating eggs, chicken, turkey and other animal-derived foods—but not just because of bird flu. Choosing vegan foods is healthier, cheaper, better for the environment and, most important of all, kind to animals.
