What's Wrong with dairy and eggs?

Why aren't they vegan?

At the heart of the dairy and egg industries lies a fundamental ethical dilemma: the exploitation of animals for profit.

In both sectors, animals are subjected to confinement, selective breeding, and unnatural living conditions to maximize production.

The only difference from dairy and eggs and meat products is how long the animal “lives”.

Some animals are slaughtered mainly for their meat.

Animals on the dairy and egg industry are used for these products and when they stop “producing” them, they get slaughtered too.

Unless prematurely death from disease due to poor conditions, kills them first.

What Happens in the Dairy Industry?

The dairy industry is a vast and complex sector of agriculture that involves the production of milk and dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and butter. While dairy products are a staple in many diets worldwide, the practices within the dairy industry have come under scrutiny due to ethical, environmental, and health concerns.

What Happens to Cows?

In conventional dairy farming, cows are the primary animals raised for milk production. These cows are typically housed in large-scale facilities known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) or factory farms. In these facilities, cows are often kept in crowded and confined spaces, with limited access to pasture and natural sunlight.

To maximize milk production, cows are subjected to selective breeding, artificial insemination, and hormonal manipulation. They are often kept continuously pregnant or lactating, which can take a toll on their physical health and well-being. The stress of constant milking and confinement can lead to health issues such as mastitis, lameness, and reproductive disorders.

What about Calves?

Calves born into the dairy industry are separated from their mothers shortly after birth, typically within hours or days. Male calves are often sold for veal production or raised for beef, while female calves are raised to replace their mothers in the dairy herd. The separation of mother and calf can be distressing for both animals and can lead to behavioral and psychological problems.

What Happens in the Egg Industry?

In industrial egg production, hens are typically kept in intensive confinement systems, such as battery cages, where they have limited space to move and engage in natural behaviors. These cages are stacked in large warehouses, housing thousands of birds in cramped conditions. The overcrowding can lead to stress, aggression, and injuries among the hens.

What Happens to Hens?
To maximize egg production, hens are subjected to selective breeding, artificial lighting, and hormonal manipulation, which can place significant strain on their bodies. Egg-laying hens are bred to produce unnaturally high quantities of eggs, far more than they would in their natural habitats. This constant strain often results in health issues such as osteoporosis, reproductive disorders, and weakened immune systems.

What about male Chicks?

Male chicks born into the egg industry are considered a byproduct and are typically deemed economically unviable since they cannot lay eggs and do not grow as quickly as broiler chickens. As a result, millions of male chicks are culled shortly after hatching, often through methods such as suffocation, gassing, or maceration.

Are they healthy?

While dairy and eggs have long been touted for their nutritional value, mounting evidence suggests that their consumption may pose health risks for some individuals.

Dairy products contain saturated fats and cholesterol, which are linked to an increased risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions. Additionally, lactose intolerance affects a significant portion of the population, causing digestive discomfort and other adverse symptoms.

Eggs, meanwhile, are high in cholesterol and have been associated with an elevated risk of certain types of cancer.

Despite their nutrient content, dairy and eggs are not essential components of a healthy diet and can be replaced with plant-based alternatives that offer comparable nutritional benefits without the associated health risks.

Fortunately, there is a growing array of plant-based alternatives to dairy and eggs that offer ethical, environmental, and health benefits. Plant-based milks, such as almond, soy, and oat milk, provide calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients without the cholesterol and saturated fats found in cow's milk. Similarly, tofu, tempeh, and legumes can serve as nutritious substitutes for eggs in cooking and baking. By embracing these alternatives, individuals can reduce their reliance on animal products and contribute to a more compassionate, sustainable future.

Does it have consequences to the Planet?

The conditions within egg production facilities can contribute to environmental pollution and public health risks.

Waste generated by millions of hens can lead to air and water contamination, posing threats to nearby communities and ecosystems.

Additionally, the use of antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals in intensive farming practices raises concerns about antimicrobial resistance and food safety.

In addition to animal welfare concerns, the dairy industry also has significant environmental impacts. Dairy farming requires large amounts of land, water, and feed resources, contributing to deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. The production and transportation of dairy products also generate carbon emissions, further exacerbating climate change.

By opting for plant-based alternatives and advocating for more humane and sustainable food systems, we can create a world where compassion and sustainability prevail over exploitation and harm. Let us strive to make ethical, informed choices that align with our values and contribute to a better world for all beings.

Conclusion:

From the exploitation of animals to the degradation of our planet's ecosystems and the impact on human health, the true cost of these industries extends far beyond their perceived benefits.

As consumers, we have the power to effect change through our daily food choices.

By opting for plant-based alternatives and advocating for more humane and sustainable food systems, we can create a world where compassion and sustainability prevail over exploitation and harm. Let us strive to make ethical, informed choices that align with our values and contribute to a better world for all beings.

Every year we have more options to choose from when it comes to dairy and egg replacements.
And they are getting easier to find, a few years ago you would have to go bigger supermarkets or stores specialized in vegan products but nowadays, most supermarkets have at least a few options.

Since Veganism is a way of living that excludes all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for any purpose, dairy and eggs are not considered vegan as it doesn’t make sense to support these industries when there are so many cruelty free options.