Eggs can be eaten in many different forms: scrambled, poached, fried, boiled or in omelets, soufflés, custards or meringues. But one way that food safety experts say they shouldn’t be consumed is raw.

Some grocery store shelves have been without eggs in recent weeks. What is causing the shortage, and when will it ease?

With more than 133 million poultry birds affected by avian influenza across the U.S., some states are experiencing egg shortages.

The cost of a carton is soaring nationwide, breaking new records as the bird flu outbreak grows. Zoom out: A dozen large eggs in the Midwest hit an "unprecedented" $6.07 in early January, surpassing the previous record of $5.

Easter is still months away, but grocery shopping could soon become an egg hunt as the impact of the bird flu outbreak is affecting supplies of eggs in Florida. Some outlets of grocery chains in the Tampa Bay area,

"We are experiencing shortages of eggs due to the ongoing Avian Bird Flu (HPAI) situation," said Lindsey Willis, media relations manager for Publix. "As a result, the availability of these products is limited,

Shopping for eggs feels like a game of chance lately. One day, your go-to eggs are there. The next, the shelves might be sparse. The big picture: Grocery stores nationwide are experiencing egg shortages due to the Bird Flu,