Egg prices continue to rise as more and more cases of Avian Influenza (bird flu) are found in animals and humans across the United States and even Arizona. 

According to the Associated Press, egg prices have hit a national average of $4.95 dollars per dozen due to the outbreak of bird flu, which has caused farms across the country to slaughter their poultry to try to control this outbreak. 

Cases reached Arizona farms, as a sample from a heard of cows in Maricopa County tested positive for the bird flu in early February according to the Arizona Department of Agriculture, the dairy farm has since been put under quarantine, but before the incident report, no signs of illness related to the bird flu was shown from the cows. 

Such a report begs the question, how do we know if our groceries are safe or not?  

“I’d rather be safe than sorry,” said Debbie Malouf, a Safeway store patron, when asked about rising egg prices Malouf said she prefers to buy cage-free eggs to try and decrease the chances of infection. 

Since December 6, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a federal order requiring additional bird flu testing for livestock and milk to try and prevent the spread; the farms are taking extra precautions by sanitizing vehicles and tools and changing clothes before and after workers enter barns. 

Not only has this outbreak caused concern for people’s health but also their pockets; Retail egg prices have hit a 13.8 percent increase since January 2025, with a predicted 41.1 percent increase throughout 2025.  

Grocery stores across the nation have implemented egg carton limits as a way to “spread the wealth” among grocery buyers; however, while asking people outside of one of these grocery stores with egg limit policies, it seemed most patrons had decided they don’t need eggs since the recent breakout.