McDonald’s restaurants in Australia have temporarily reduced their breakfast hours, serving breakfast only until 10:30 am. This change is a result of a shortage of eggs, a consequence of the recent bird flu outbreaks in the country. The outbreaks have led to the culling of nearly 1.5 million chickens across Australia, significantly impacting the egg supply. In a Facebook post, McDonald’s acknowledged the situation, stating that they are “carefully managing supply of eggs due to current industry challenges.” They are working closely with Australian farmers and suppliers to restore normal egg supply and resume regular breakfast service as quickly as possible.
The bird flu outbreaks in Australia have been ongoing since May, affecting 11 poultry facilities, primarily egg farms. While the strains are not the highly contagious H5N1 variant, the impact on the egg industry is substantial. Rowan McMonnies, the managing director of Australian Eggs, has advised consumers to expect some empty shelves in the short term. Egg supplies are being redirected to areas with shortages, ensuring availability in other regions. However, he reassured consumers that over 20 million hens under the care of Australian egg farmers continue to produce eggs, working to keep shelves stocked.
The Australian government has urged consumers to refrain from purchasing more eggs than needed, as the bird flu has impacted less than 10% of Australia’s egg-laying hens. Authorities are working diligently to contain the virus, but several retailers have implemented purchase limits on eggs. The bird flu outbreaks have been contained and eradicated in previous occurrences, with this being the 10th outbreak since 1976. While the government has confirmed that the supply of chicken meat has not been affected, the egg shortage remains a significant challenge for the food industry and consumers alike.
