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The
24-7 restaurant said that the resulting egg shortage has led to
a dramatic increase in its costs.
Bird flu is forcing farmers to slaughter millions of chickens a
month, pushing U.S. egg prices to more than double their cost in
the summer of 2023. And it appears there may be no relief in
sight with Easter approaching.
The average price per dozen eggs nationwide hit $4.15 in
December. That is not quite as high as the $4.82 record set two
years ago, but the Agriculture Department predicts egg prices
are going to soar another 20% this year.
The Waffle House, a reliable source of a cheap breakfast, said
that its egg surcharge became effective this week and that it
applies to all of its menus. The restaurant's two-egg breakfast,
which comes with toast and a side, was listed at $7.75 on
Tuesday.
“While we hope these price fluctuations will be short-lived we
cannot predict how long this shortage will last,” the company
said.
The company continues to monitor egg prices and said that it
will adjust or remove the surcharge as market conditions allow.
Last month, the first U.S. human fatality linked bird flu was
reported in Louisiana. There have been 67 confirmed bird flu
infections of humans in the U.S. since 2024, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The H5N1 bird flu has been spreading widely among wild birds,
poultry, cows and other animals. Its growing presence in the
environment increases the chances that people will be exposed,
and potentially catch it, officials have said, though it remains
rare.
Health officials urge anyone who has contact with sick or dead
birds to take precautions, including respiratory and eye
protection and gloves when handling poultry.
Waffle House, based in Georgia, has more than 1,900 locations in
25 states.
Pete & Gerry’s Organics also faced a difficult situation with
its eggs in Antrim Township, Pennsylvania, when 100,000 of them
were stolen from the back of its distribution trailer Saturday
night, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Law enforcement
are investigating the theft of roughly $40,000 worth of eggs.
___
Associated Press reporter Hallie Golden contributed reporting.
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