Waffle House Adds Surcharge to Every Egg Order | AOL | 2/4/2025
- joshualin2024
- Feb 13
- 2 min read
The recent decision by Waffle House to implement a 50-cent surcharge per egg highlights the far-reaching impacts of the ongoing avian influenza (H5N1) outbreak in the United States. This measure reflects the significant challenges faced by the food industry as it grapples with rising costs and supply chain disruptions.
The current bird flu epidemic has led to the culling of millions of poultry, drastically reducing egg production and causing prices to soar. As of late 2024, egg prices had reached a 45-year high, with the average cost of a dozen large grade A eggs climbing to unprecedented levels.
The virus's spread has not been limited to poultry; it has also been detected in wild birds and various mammals, including dairy cattle. In early 2025, a new strain of H5N1 was identified in U.S. dairy cows, marking the first such occurrence and raising concerns about the virus's evolving nature.
Human cases, though still rare, have been reported. As of January 6, 2025, there have been 66 confirmed human cases of H5N1 in the U.S. since 2024, with one death reported in Louisiana. Most infections have been linked to direct contact with infected animals, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that the risk to the general public remains low.
The implications of this outbreak are multifaceted. Beyond the immediate economic impact on consumers and businesses, there is a pressing need for enhanced biosecurity measures across agricultural sectors to prevent further spread. Additionally, the situation underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance and research to monitor the virus's evolution and to develop effective vaccines and treatments.
In the meantime, consumers may continue to experience higher prices and surcharges on egg-related products as the industry navigates these challenges. While such measures are understandable from a business perspective, they also highlight the broader vulnerabilities in our food supply chain and the need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate such disruptions in the future.
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