Supermarket Giant Imposes Egg Purchase Limit Across Australia

Fresh brown eggs sit in a carton in San Rafael, California, on Aug. 26, 2010. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Coles has limited egg purchases for consumers across Australia amid the escalation of a bird flu outbreak in Victoria.

The new policy will apply to all states and territories except Western Australia, with each customer allowed to buy a maximum of two egg cartons.

Since the beginning of the outbreak, around 580,000 birds have been euthanised, leading to a significant drop in meat and egg supplies.

Coles has put up signs across its supermarkets to warn customers about the change.

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

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

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

A Coles spokesperson said the supermarket chain was working closely with suppliers to ensure the supply of eggs for consumers.

“We are providing support to the industry in responding to the avian flu cases in Victoria,” the spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

While the purchase limit is temporary, the spokesperson did not say how long it would last.

Meanwhile, Coles’s rival, Woolworths, and other supermarket chains and retail stores have not introduced any egg purchase limits.

Government’s Response

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the strain of avian flu that was spreading in Victoria (H7N3) was different from the one in other countries.

“It’s a different type of avian or different strain of avian flu to the one we’re seeing in some other countries that have led to a cross-over to very rare instances of human infection,” he told ABC News Breakfast.

“This is a significant issue globally: the avian flu that it is sweeping the globe. I’m making sure that our government particularly is across any implications that might have for human health, at the moment.”

The minister also said he was receiving regular briefings from the chief medical officer about the bird flu and that the government was taking the issue very seriously.

“I know [Agriculture Minister] Murray Watt is watching that very closely, and I know Australian viewers will want to know that they’re going to have access to enough eggs to keep having the hearty Australian breakfast,” he said.

A woman walks into a Coles supermarket in Albany, Western Australia, on April 11, 2024. Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times

Fifth Victorian Farm Hit by Bird Flu

Coles’s egg purchase restriction comes after the H7N3 strain of avian flu was detected at a fifth farm in Victoria on June 7, just two days after the disease hit the fourth farm.

According to Victoria’s agriculture department, all poultry at the property would be culled under national policies, and the site would be cleaned and cleared of the infection.

Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Graeme Cooke said the new disease development was not unexpected.

“Agriculture Victoria continues to work with affected producers and the wider industry to support business continuity while minimising risk of disease spread,” he said.

“It’s a difficult time for our farmers, and we’re making sure mental health support is available, and eligible producers can access compensation.”

To prevent the spread of bird flu, Agriculture Victoria has implemented movement controls in the areas of Terang, Meredith, and Lethbridge, where the affected farms are located.

Farmers are required to apply for permits if they want to move birds, poultry products, feed and equipment on or off the properties within the restricted areas.

Despite the ongoing bird flu, Mr. Cooke has said that eggs and poultry products on the market are safe for consumption and do not pose health risks.

Meanwhile, the United States has imposed a ban on eggs and poultry imports from Victoria due to safety concerns.