Consumers around the United States have noticed something missing from their grocery stores when they do their pre-Thanksgiving shopping: eggs.
Some shoppers looking for eggs were greeted with signs of apology for the absence of food – and some may be wondering why.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said in a recent report that egg production fell 2.6 percent last month compared to October 2023.
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As it turns out, there’s one big thing affecting egg availability: outbreaks of avian flu.
According to the USDA website, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) viruses have been detected in birds in the United States since January 2022.
Avian flu has been found in the United States since January 2022. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Since the virus was first detected in the United States, it has spread to 49 states.
More than 100 million birds have been affected, the agency said.
Other stores have cited non-flu as the reason their egg stocks are limited.
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At a Trader Joe’s location in Chicago, a sign explained the egg’s absence. Sign said the store was in the process of transitioning to “cage-free only” eggs and that supplies may be temporarily limited.
A shopper posted a photo of the sign on Trader Joe’s Reddit page on Nov. 17, asking if others had seen similar images at their stores.
Reactions from people around the country confirmed that their locales were in short supply of eggs, but in Chicago without explaining why.
Some retailers are in short supply of eggs. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Image)
Fox News Digital has reached out to Trader Joe’s for comment.
Shoppers at Whole Foods Market locations also reported egg shortages.
One Reddit user, posting on a page for Whole Foods Market employees, said they were told the shortage was “not due to avian flu” but rather “difficulty finding eggs that meet our high quality eggs.” meet the criteria.”
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Another customer said a store had a limited supply of eggs and customers were limited in the number they could buy.
Fox News Digital reached out to Whole Foods Market for comment.
A cookbook author told Fox News Digital that eggs that are past their expiration date can still be fine. (iStock)
Due to the egg shortage, some people may wonder if the eggs they already have at home are still good to use.
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Lisa Steele, author of a blog and cookbook about raising chickens, told Fox News Digital that it’s pretty easy to tell if an egg is still good to use — even if it’s past its expiration date.
To do this, simply pour a glass of water and drop in the egg.
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Eggs that sink to the bottom and stay there are still good, but any “floaters” should probably be thrown away, he said.
