Spring items have been on grocery store shelves for a few weeks now, but if you still need to pick up a few items before the April 17 Easter holiday, there are some items you won’t find. Others will be more expensive. And all because of issues that have adjusted at an unfortunate time.
Your next visit to the store to stock up on Easter items like eggs and chocolates could be affected. What would Easter be without dying eggs or your favorite chocolate? You may have to find out.
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A massive outbreak of bird flu at dozens of major manufacturing plants in 24 states has forced companies to kill sick birds. As a result, there are fewer hens laying eggs.
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Eggs are a food item that doesn’t follow a fixed price – it rises and falls based on demand. With Easter just around the corner, in addition to the Jewish Passover, you must be prepared to pay for a dozen more. According to USA Today, the USDA is already reporting prices up to 44% above normal.
Additionally, two different holiday-themed chocolate treats sold at Costco and Walmart will no longer be sold after being recalled.
Courtesy of the FDA
The Kinder Happy Moments chocolate range and the Kinder Chocolate Treat Basket were both manufactured by Ferrero at its plant in Arlon, Belgium, where Salmonella bacteria were discovered. They were recalled out of caution. Several other children’s products also made there have sickened more than 60 people in the UK. As of April 8, the Belgian factory will be temporarily closed, Ferrero says.
The Kinder Happy Moments line of chocolates was sold at Costco warehouses in the Bay Area of California and northern Nevada and at BJ’s wholesale stores. The Kinder Chocolate Treats Basket was sold in 14 Big-Y supermarkets in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Once a product is recalled, it is removed from storefronts. However, the company notes that no other Kinder product is affected by the US recall – so things like Kinder Eggs and Kinder Buenos are safe.
PR/ Wilton Industries, Inc.
The Ready to Build Chocolate Cookie Bunny Stall Kit sold at Walmart was recalled in early April because the label doesn’t state that skimmed milk powder is an ingredient, potentially causing a reaction after consumption for those with a milk sensitivity or allergy.
Wilson Industries makes the product and says a customer who submitted an inquiry alerted the company to the mishap. The kit was available at Walmart locations in the US but is no longer sold and will not be part of your Easter celebration this year.
However, eggs and Easter treats aren’t the only foods currently facing problems. Because of this, you may see fewer products in the grocery store.