Coles enforces limit on popular product – here’s why

Shoppers across the street Coles are limited to buying two cartons of eggs due to the consequences supply chain problems caused by an outbreak of bird flu.

The restrictions have been placed at all stores with the exception of Western Australia.

Signs in stores read: Due to egg shortages, we have temporarily introduced a limit of two items per customer/transaction.’

‘This helps maintain availability and support as many customers as possible.

‘Thank you for your patience, we apologize for any inconvenience caused.’

Shoppers at Coles were limited to buying two cartons of eggs due to supply chain issues caused by a bird flu outbreak (stock image)

A similar message can be seen for online customers.

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

There are currently no purchase limits at Woolworths or Aldi.

Since June 7, the highly contagious H7N3 and H7N9 strains of bird flu have been detected on five poultry farms in Victoria, including four properties in Meredith and one farm near Terang.

There are fears that 600,000 chickens may have to be culled, putting huge pressure on supply chains.

Locations where cases have been detected have been locked down and movement restrictions around the farms have been imposed.

Signs in stores read: “Due to an egg shortage, we have introduced a temporary limit of two items per customer/transaction” (stock image)

Agriculture Victoria said the latest detection was not unexpected and said the authority was taking all precautions to limit the spread of the flu.

“It shows that Agriculture Victoria’s reasonable and risk-based restricted and control areas and extensive and ongoing surveillance activities are working properly to detect the spread of the disease,” a statement said.

Domestic poultry, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, quail, pheasants, emus and ostriches are the most susceptible species to be affected by bird flu, but all bird species are believed to be susceptible to the virus.