Foster’s Food Fair-IGA would like to announce that the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak in the U.S. will have a significant effect on our egg prices.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed that the bird flu has claimed more than 38 million birds across the US and Ontario, Canada. A large number of these affected birds are egg-laying, therefore massively impacting supply. Twenty commercial egg farms have tested positive for AI, totaling more than 31 million laying hens in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. This calculates to 10 percent of all layers in the U.S. and more than 20 percent of the layers estimated as dedicated for the egg products business.

According to United Egg Producers in the U.S., the egg industry is working closely with the state and federal officials on this issue. Egg farmers are deeply concerned about Avian Influenza, which is taking a terrible financial and emotional toll on the farm community, with disease prevention being a top priority.

Avian Influenza (bird flu) is a virus that infects wild birds (such as ducks, gulls, and shorebirds) and domestic poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese).

Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza is often fatal in chickens and turkeys and spreads more rapidly than low pathogenic Avian Influenza and has a higher death rate in birds. Avian Flu is primarily spread by contact between healthy birds and infected birds, and through indirect contact with contaminated equipment and materials. The virus is excreted through the feces of the infected birds and through secretions from the nose, mouth and ears. As a result, we may see our supply of chicken and turkey affected in the coming weeks.

Unfortunately, we have seen price increases in eggs at all of our Foster’s Food Fair-IGA, Priced Right & Bay Market locations. We expect to see another price increase next week.

Avian influenza cannot be transmitted through safely handled and properly cooked eggs.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.