The United States has seen a significant rise in imports of Brazilian eggs, previously intended for pet food, in an effort to combat soaring prices caused by the bird flu outbreak. The government is considering loosening regulations on eggs produced by chickens raised for meat, aiming to alleviate strain on the market and make more fresh eggs available to consumers.
Although these Brazilian and broiler chicken eggs would not be sold directly to consumers, they could be utilized in processed food items like cake mixes, ice cream, and salad dressing. However, some experts caution that altering regulations to allow the use of broiler chicken eggs may pose a risk of contamination with harmful bacteria.
The nation continues to grapple with economic challenges resulting from the widespread impact of the virus on poultry populations. Grocery shelves remain sparsely stocked, restaurants have increased prices, and wholesale egg prices surged by over 50% in February. The egg shortage has exacerbated food inflation, while trade tensions under the Trump administration have added further strain on supply chains and costs for various goods.
The government has announced a $1 billion plan to address the egg price crisis, focusing on preventing the spread of the virus among farmers and exploring vaccine options. In addition to boosting imports from countries like Brazil, Turkey, and South Korea, efforts are being made to increase egg supplies from European nations.
The FDA is currently reviewing a petition from the National Chicken Council to permit the sale of broiler chicken eggs for human consumption, a practice that is currently prohibited due to food safety concerns. The council hopes to gain support for this initiative, emphasizing the need to reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers in line with the administration’s goals.
Legislators, including Representative Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, are pushing for a bill to allow the utilization of these surplus eggs in food products to address the supply shortage. Currently, millions of broiler chicken eggs are discarded annually due to lack of refrigeration compliance with FDA regulations.
The initiative to repurpose these surplus eggs has the potential to not only reduce waste but also improve the availability of eggs for various food applications.
Chicken producers in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil faced a dilemma on March 11, 2025, as they were unable to refrigerate broiler eggs adequately at the lower temperature required by the FDA. The council and farmers explained that the eggs are typically kept at around 65 degrees and are pasteurized, posing no public health risks. However, food safety experts cautioned that insufficient refrigeration could lead to increased pathogen levels, potentially compromising the effectiveness of pasteurization.
The Trump administration’s decision in January to allow Brazilian egg imports to be used for human consumption marked a significant change, as these imports were previously restricted to pet food. The Brazilian Animal Protein Association confirmed that Brazil met the necessary U.S. requirements for exporting eggs for human consumption. Despite this, Brazil’s egg exports were impacted by Newcastle disease, preventing the country from supplying eggs for sale in U.S. grocery stores or pasteurized liquid eggs.
In response to tight supplies and high prices, states like Nevada and Arizona made adjustments to animal welfare policies that mandated eggs from cage-free hens. Nevada temporarily suspended a law requiring cage-free eggs, while Arizona lawmakers considered repealing a similar rule due to concerns over bird flu outbreaks. As consumer preferences shifted and egg prices surged, the industry faced challenges adapting to evolving demands.
