Researchers have stressed that bird flu still poses a minimal risk to the general public, though that may change as the virus continues to circulate and potentially mutate. But the many empty shelves in stores and higher prices on the eggs that people can find have raised concerns among consumers about the safety of the egg supply.

The buck has been passed to Waffle House customers as the company announced a 50-cent surcharge for all egg items. This comes, after a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found a 50% increase in egg prices in the past year.

Thieves in the US state of Pennsylvania have stolen more than 100,000 eggs - worth $40,000 (£32,000) - from a single grocer. The heist targeted the back of a lorry at Pete & Gerry's Organics in Greencastle on 1 February,

The heist of 100,000 eggs from the back of a trailer in Pennsylvania has become a whodunit that police have yet to crack.

Someone has stolen about 100,000 eggs from a distribution trailer in south-central Pennsylvania as rising egg prices and shortages continue to worry U.S. consumers.

The theft of approximately 100,000 eggs from the back of a distribution trailer in central Pennsylvania is under investigation, authorities say.