Egg Prices Soar: Waffle House Passes on Egg Cost to Customers

Bird flu is driving up egg prices, the CDC reports millions suffering from normal seasonal flu There's a staggering egg shortage due to bird flu. Millions of chickens have sadly been lost or slaughtered to stem the spread of the highly contagious virus. Depending on the area and time of the year the demand for eggs can be high, so it is especially tough during the winter holiday season. Waffle House, the famous 24/7 American diners, is feeling the heat. They've had to add a fifty cent surcharge to all eggs on their menu. This change kicked in on Monday and spans all 2, 000+ locations. Customers will have to dig deeper into their wallets for their favorite dishes. Waffle House's statement points out that the rise in egg costs has forced both consumers and restaurants to make some tough calls. Waffle House is adamant about this being a temporary fix. They're keeping a close eye on the market and will adjust or even remove the surcharge if conditions change. But this isn't just about profits. The folks at the CDC and the USDA have a lot on their plates, the average cost of a dozen eggs has skyrocketed by fifty percent in the past year. Ever since November, as winter holidays approached, prices have seemed to accelerate. The CDC is urging hospitals to pick up the pace on bird flu testing within 24 hours of admission. Many hospitals have been waiting a few days to send flu samples out for testing. This delay makes tracking the source of infections difficult. The CDC says that with time, memories fade and it becomes harder to pin down where the infection might have come from. The USDA advises that the longer people go without being tested, the more likely it is that their contacts have also been exposed. The seasonal flu is wreaking havoc across the US, especially in the West, Midwest, and Southeast. The bird flu is a serious issue and its effect on the price of eggs should be considered when analyzing the CDC's data.