McDonald’s Australia has announced temporary changes to its breakfast hours in response to an egg shortage caused by a bird flu outbreak affecting poultry farms across southeast Australia. The fast-food chain has curtailed its breakfast service by 90 minutes, now concluding its full breakfast menu at 10:30am instead of the usual midday, impacting fans accustomed to a later morning start.
In a statement to the BBC, McDonald’s Australia acknowledged the challenges faced by the industry, stating, “Like many retailers, we are carefully managing supply of eggs due to the current industry challenges.” The company emphasized its collaboration with Australian farmers, producers, and suppliers to address the issue collectively.
The bird flu outbreak has been detected in 11 poultry facilities over the past two months, prompting authorities to implement control measures. Despite the disruptions, Australian authorities assured consumers that measures were in place to manage the situation and redirect supplies to areas facing shortages.
While less than 10% of Australia’s egg-laying hens have been affected by the outbreaks, some businesses have imposed limits on egg purchases to mitigate further shortages. Approximately 1.5 million chickens have been culled as a precautionary measure, although authorities confirmed that none of the strains detected so far include the H5N1 variant, which has had more severe global implications.
Consumers have been advised to avoid stockpiling eggs unnecessarily, as efforts continue to stabilize supply chains amidst the ongoing challenges posed by the bird flu outbreaks in Australia.
This adjustment by McDonald’s Australia reflects broader efforts within the industry to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of the bird flu outbreak on food supply chains across the country.
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