Coles limits egg purchases as bird flu hits farms in Victoria

Coles is limiting how many eggs its customers can buy around the country after a deadly strain of bird flu hit farms in Victoria.

Signs in physical stores and on the Coles online store have notified customers of the restrictions, saying: “Due to supply issues, we have introduced a temporary limit of 2 items per transaction on eggs.”

The highly pathogenic H7N3 strain of bird flu has been detected on five farms in the state’s south-west, with more than half a million chickens euthanised in an effort to stop the spread of the disease.

The supermarket giant’s customers in every state and territory can now only buy a maximum of two egg cartons, with the exception of Western Australia.

Coles said the limit was temporary but did not reveal how long it was expected to last.

“We are working closely with all of our suppliers to ensure eggs remain available for our customers and we are providing support to the industry in responding to the avian flu cases in Victoria,” a Coles spokesperson said.

Woolworths does not have any limits on egg purchases and no other national stores have publicised limits.

Last week H7N3 was detected at a Lethbridge farm owned by Farm Pride in south-west Victoria, sparking a safety alert for all bird owners including farmers and households with backyard chickens.

The Victorian Farmers Federation warned there would be an impact on egg supplies.

“My advice is to shop around at your local grocer, market or small independent store to buy your eggs,” said Danyel Cucinotta, an egg farmer and the vice-president of the VFF.

An alert issued by Agriculture Victoria said consumers should not worry about supermarket eggs and poultry products because they do not pose a risk and are safe to consume.

The US has imposed restrictions on imports of Victorian eggs and poultry products.