How the H5N1 bird flu epidemic could affect your McDonald's breakfast order

The rapid spread of deadly bird flu could make it harder to get your morning bacon, egg, and cheese. 

This week, McDonald's announced that restaurants in Australia will stop serving breakfast 90 minutes earlier as the country's egg supply is hit by bird flu outbreaks. 

'Like many retailers, we are carefully managing supply of eggs due to current industry challenges,' the company said Tuesday in a Facebook post. 

In the US, the H5N1 virus is surging from infected eggs, beef, and unpasteurized milk, leading American experts to warn of 'pandemic potential.' 

As the virus rages on, food safety experts told DailyMail.com that that the US food industry is 'generally well-prepared' to face the challenge - but continuous monitoring is 'crucial' to maintain that stability. 

McDonald's has not yet responded to a request for comment from DailyMail.com.  

McDonald's announced that restaurants in Australia will stop serving breakfast 90 minutes earlier amid egg shortages from bird flu outbreaks

The above map shows states where bird flu infections have been reported in cattle

Dr Darin Detwiler, former FDA and USDA food safety advisor, told DailyMail.com: 'The situation in Australia, where McDonald's is limiting breakfast availability, due to egg shortages from bird flu, highlights the potential vulnerabilities in food supply chains caused by disease outbreaks.'

'While the current situation in Australia is concerning, it does not necessarily predict a similar immediate impact in the US.'

He added: 'Nevertheless, it serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining biosecurity measures and having adaptive strategies in place to cope with unexpected challenges in the food supply chain. 

In Australia, bird flu has been detected in 11 poultry facilities in the southeastern part of the country. As a result, 1.5million birds have been culled to reduce the spread. 

McDonald's stores will now stop serving breakfast at 10:30am, 90 minutes earlier than the original 12pm stop time. 

'We are working hard with our Aussie farmers and suppliers to return this back to normal as soon as possible,' the company said Tuesday. 

And Australian grocery store Woolworth's announced it would limit customers to just two packages of eggs per week. The limit applies to the New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, and Victoria regions.

'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. 

'The situation in Australia, where McDonald's is limiting breakfast availability, due to egg shortages from bird flu, highlights the potential vulnerabilities in food supply chains caused by disease outbreaks,' Dr Detwiler said. 

McDonald's in the US has not announced any restrictions or upcoming menu changes to cope with the outbreak. However, bird flu has spread to both poultry and cattle.

A tick indicates foods that have tested positive for bird flu, while a cross indicates those that have been tested for bird flu but were not found to contain the virus 

The above shows how bird flu is edging closer to human spillover in the US

As of July 1, more than 136 dairy herds in 12 states have been affected, according to the CDC. 

Like Australia, the US has also culled several flocks of poultry to contain the virus. 

In May, officials in Sioux County, Iowa, confirmed that 4.2million birds were killed after bird flu was found among the flock. 

One month earlier, another 2million birds were culled after bird flu was reported at Cal-Maine Foods, the largest egg producer in the US. 

And St Louis-based Post Holdings said in May that bird flu outbreaks at two-third party facilities decimated almost 14 percent of its egg supply - about 5.7million egg-laying hens. 

Federal health agencies have not said there is an egg shortage, though production is down. 

A May release from the USDA noted that egg production in April 2024 was down one percent from the same time last year, and the number of egg laying birds decreased by two percent. 

Dr Detwiler noted that unlike smaller countries like Australia, 'the US has a robust and diverse agricultural sector with multiple regions contributing to the supply of eggs and beef.' 

'This diversification can help mitigate localized shortages. However, should a severe and widespread outbreak occur, it could strain the supply chain.'

He also noted that US fast food chains typically have contigency plans to handle any supply chain disruptions. These include sourcing from different suppliers, removing ingredients from menus, or changing portion sizes. 

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'One problem is that “shrinkflation” is often associated with economic decisions- not with availability issues, so consumers are sometimes left not knowing the real cause,' he said. 

Australia is not the only country whose eggs have been hit hard by bird flu related egg shortages. 

In Japan, 17 million chickens were culled last season due to bird flu, or nearly one in 10 egg-laying hens, BBC reported. 

This led 18 companies to suspend egg-related items last year, including McDonald's Teritama Muffin, which uses egg, and several sandwiches at 7-Eleven. 

'It is reasonable to be aware and concerned about these risks, but right now the US food industry is generally well-prepared to manage and mitigate such challenges,' Dr Detwiler said.

'Continuous monitoring and proactive measures will be crucial in ensuring stability in the supply of eggs and beef.'