Coles introduces buying limit on eggs amid global bird flu outbreak

Coles has reintroduced product buying limits on a popular product as the global bird flu outbreak cripples supply chains with nearly half a million chickens euthanised so far. Egg purchases will be limited to two cartons at any one time as product buying limits are reintroduced.

The limit is being introduced across Coles stores across Australia, except for Western Australia.

The decision to limit egg purchases has been introduced due to supply chain shortages caused by the outbreak of bird flu strain H7N3.

The avian flu has significantly impacted egg production, as infected chickens are euthanised, prompting Coles to reintroduce buying limits.

“Due to a shortage of supply on eggs, we have introduced a temporary limit of two items per customer/transaction,” signs across Coles supermarkets said.

“This will help maintain availability and support as many customers as possible.

“Thank you for your patience, we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Coles has said the restrictions will only be temporary.

“We are working closely with all of our suppliers to ­ensure eggs remain available for our customers, and we are providing support to the industry in responding to the avian flu cases in Victoria,” a Coles spokesman told the Herald Sun.

Customers have observed shortages of eggs at Aldi and Woolworths stores.

Buying limits at both Aldi and Woolworths have not yet been introduced.

The limit introduction comes days after a fifth Victorian poultry farm was plunged into lockdown after its chickens became infected with avian influenza.

Tests confirmed the highly pathogenic H7N3 strain of bird flu had been detected on the Meredith farm in Victoria’s southwest, Agriculture Victoria said on Friday.

The property has been placed into quarantine and will be cleaned, with all poultry at the farm to be culled, to contain the infection.

Victoria’s chief veterinary officer Graeme Cooke said the newest detection was not unexpected.

“It’s why our reasonable and risk-based restricted and control areas are in place and shows that Agriculture Victoria’s comprehensive and ongoing surveillance activities are working well to date,” Dr Cooke said.

Avian influenza, a viral disease affecting birds globally, can spread between birds or when contaminated poultry products, feed, equipment or other items are moved between locations.

With AAP.