Major change coming to McDonald’s in Australia

Aussies could soon find it harder to order fan-favourite menu items at McDonald’s as the nation’s chicken egg supply dries up after outbreaks of avian flu.

A spokesperson for the fast food giant told Daily Mail Australia on Monday that its franchises will stop offering the breakfast menu from 10:30am instead of midday.

They said the decision was made as the hospitality industry and supermarkets grapple with an egg shortage due to the avian flu.

Two farms in New South Wales and eight in Victoria have been forced to shut or cull their stock to try and stop the spread of the disease, leading to a shortage of eggs. 

The morning menu offers a wide array of McMuffins with a fried egg and the famous hotcakes which has eggs present in the batter. Hash browns will be available all day.

‘We know our customers love a Macca’s breakfast, so to make sure we can continue to serve up fresh Aussie eggs on our menu, we’ll be temporarily offering breakfast until 10:30am across Australia,’ the spokesperson said.

‘This means customers can continue to enjoy all their brekkie favourites such as the Bacon & Egg McMuffin, Sausage & Egg McMuffin, and Big Brekkie Burger – they’ll just need to get in a little earlier than usual.

‘We’re continuing to work closely with our network of Aussie farmers, producers, and suppliers, as the industry comes together to manage this challenge.’

The morning menu offers a wide array of McMuffins with a fried egg and the famous hotcakes which the fast food chain uses eggs in the batter

McDonald’s are just the latest to take action on the egg shortage after Woolworths announced a limit on how many eggs customers can buy.

The supermarket giant has brought in a two-pack per person limit on the staple due to a ‘delay’ in stock.

The limits will be applied in stores across NSW, ACT and Victoria, with other states unaffected.

‘Along with other retailers, we’re expecting a short-term delay in stock from one of our egg suppliers in NSW, ACT and Victoria, due to the temporary closure of one of their packing sheds,’ a Woolworths spokesman said.

‘Their supply is expected to recover over the next week as they ramp up operations at their other sites.’

Woolworths’ decision followed on the back of supermarket rival Coles which earlier imposed its own two carton limit.

Coles’ rationing applies across the country, with the exception of Western Australia.

Woolworths said its measure was a ‘precaution’ and anticipated it would soon be lifted.

‘Right now, the majority of customers are only buying one carton of eggs at a time, and there’s no reason that should change,’ the spokesperson said.

‘We encourage shoppers to be mindful of others and continue to only buy what they normally would.’

Avian flu has been confirmed at two egg farms in NSW and eight in Victoria, leading to well over one million birds expected to be culled to try and quell the outbreak (pictured, health authorities at a Victorian farm)

Over one million birds are expected to be destroyed in Victoria due to the outbreak and NSW’s toll stands at more than 320,000.

The NSW Health website states: ‘Avian influenza (also known as bird flu) is caused by influenza A viruses, similar to the virus that causes seasonal influenza in humans.’

‘It spreads mainly among wild water birds but can occasionally spread to humans, although this is rare.’

Avian flu can cause mild to severe illness in birds and other animals.

Most infections of avian flu in humans are mild and cause no symptoms.

When they do occur, common symptoms can include fever, cough, tiredness, muscle aches and a sore throat.