FREE range eggs are set to be back on shop shelves within days.
The store cupboard staple has not been available to shoppers for months after a rise in bird flu cases.
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Because of a surge in case numbers, chickens have not been able to be kept outside for months – and that meant eggs could not be labelled as free range.
The Government said in November that poultry would need to stay inside as the UK faced its largest outbreak of bird flu, with more than 100 cases reported.
That meant that eggs had to be labelled as “barn eggs” rather than “free range”, as they didn’t meet the criteria.
Supermarkets have had to display information both in-store and online to explain to shoppers why they have been unable to buy free range eggs.
But the rules are now being scrapped as bird flu cases have dropped, and free range eggs will soon be available in shops again.
It is expected that shoppers will be able to buy the eggs from Monday, May 2.
But just because eggs can be labelled as free range, it doesn’t mean you’ll be able to find them in shops.
Farmers have said rising prices of chicken feed and soaring energy costs are pushing up the cost of producing eggs – with some farms lose money for every egg laid.
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The British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) said “scores “ of farmers are considering stopping work at the end of their current flock.
The product is just one of a number of items that stores are rationing or suffering shortages of.
Farmers have issued warnings about a food crisis, with staples including pasta, bread and chicken all affected.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis is also contributing to the problem.
Some stores have started to ration cooking oil too, with Tesco, Iceland and Morrisons introducing a limit on how many bottles you can buy.
Other items in short supply include tomatoes, with some stores running out of the salad staple.
Bosses say it is due to problems including energy bills hikes, bad weather and a lack of truck drivers.
Suppliers have been unable to produce as many as usual because of rising costs and heavy rain in Spain.
Meanwhile, a wheat shortage could have an impact on the availability of beer and bread.
Shortages and supply issues could push prices up, adding to the grocery bills of families who are already struggling.
Today, grocery expert Kantar warned that the average food shop could soar by £271 a year.
It’s a major blow to families who are already struggling as inflation hit a 30-year high of 7% this month.
Soaring energy bills and and petrol prices are the main drivers behind the rocketing rate.
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