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.

Waffle House announced it will be adding a 50-cent surcharge to all egg items sold at its more than 2,000 locations because of soaring egg prices caused by the bird flu. The surcharge went into effect Monday.

Not even Waffle House can escape the rising cost of eggs, as the popular 24-hour breakfast chain is now placing a 50 cent surcharge on every egg sold.