McDonald’s Australia has temporarily modified its breakfast service hours, reducing the availability of its full breakfast menu by 90 minutes due to a shortage of eggs caused by a recent bird flu outbreak.
Typically, McDonald’s serves its complete breakfast menu until midday. However, in response to industry challenges stemming from the bird flu outbreak affecting egg production, the fast-food giant now concludes its breakfast offerings at 10:30 am.
In a statement to the BBC, McDonald’s Australia acknowledged the supply chain difficulties faced by many retailers in the current environment. The company emphasized its collaboration with Australian farmers, producers, and suppliers to collectively address the ongoing challenges in the egg supply.
The bird flu outbreak has been identified in 11 poultry facilities across southeast Australia over the past two months, prompting authorities to take measures to manage the situation. Although the Australian government has assured the public that the outbreak is under control, short-term disruptions in egg supply may lead to sporadic shortages on store shelves.
To mitigate the impact, efforts are being made to redirect egg supplies to regions experiencing shortages. Authorities have advised consumers against stockpiling eggs, recommending purchases based on immediate needs to avoid exacerbating supply issues.
While less than 10% of Australia’s egg-laying hens have been affected by the outbreaks, some retailers have imposed purchase limits to manage demand effectively. Approximately 1.5 million chickens have been culled as part of containment measures.
Importantly, none of the detected bird flu strains thus far include the H5N1 variant, which has historically posed significant health risks globally to both animal and human populations.
