We’re all acutely aware of the bird flu–induced egg shortage, but now comes the news from SN’s McKenzie Prillaman about a second H5N1 bird flu variant, D1.1, detected in dairy cattle in Nevada in January 2025. Though pasteurizing milk effectively kills viruses, the headlines got us thinking about investment-worthy alternatives to traditional dairy and eggs.
🐤Context: the bird’s-eye view
It’s been just over a year since the current H5N1 bird flu outbreak began, leaping from birds to cows, and continuing to travel back and forth across species. Over 150 million birds (from commercial poultry to backyard flocks to wild birds) in the United States have been affected. Eggs are scarce and expensive, with no end in sight to the outbreak. Plant-based and other alternatives are rising to meet the challenge.
🌱The science of alt-eggs
Egg alternatives are made from plant proteins, starches, soy products, and other ingredients like algae and fruit purees. They’ve grown in popularity in recent years, with demand increasing since the bird flu outbreak.
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