First genetic mutation of H7N9 bird flu found in Guangdong patients
The first genetic mutation of the H7N9 bird flu virus has been found in patients in Guangdong, China, with specialists warning this will lead to more dead poultry. At the same time, France is culling a further 600,000 ducks in the foie gras region of Landes in its attempts to stop the spread of the H5N8 bird flu virus. In Vietnam, H5N1 and H5N6 bird flu outbreaks are spreading with tens of thousands of birds being culled in two weeks. In the UK, stores such as M&S and Tesco are warning customers which are barn eggs due to bird flu concerns, igniting fears of an end to free-range eggs.

Middle-class mums have spoken of their shock after supermarkets have re-labelled free-range eggs to say they are laid by chickens 'housed in barns'.

The change in status is due to a bird flu outbreak that has forced farmers to keep poultry cooped up since the start of December.

Producers have continued to label eggs as 'free-range' due to an EU loophole which allows poultry goods to be marketed as such for up to 12 weeks if birds have been kept inside for their own protection.

But from next week, this grace period is up - and already, labels have started appearing on egg cartons in supermarkets up and down the country to inform customers that chickens are not currently free-range.

It appears to have caused confusion among ethical shoppers who are concerned about how well cared for hens are inside these barns having previously been allowed to roam.

Confusion: A European outbreak in bird flu means hens will temporarily be kept inside for their welfare, although for the moment they can still be classed as free range until February 28

No more free-range eggs? The British Free Range Producers Association (BFREPA) said keeping chickens inside was a 'necessary step'. Its chief executive Robert Gooch said: 'The risk of infection is from wild migratory birds who are leaving cold weather feeding grounds and could head to the UK, carrying with them the potential to bring the H5N8 strain to our shores. 'It would be devastating for a British producer to have to go through the heartbreak of seeing their entire flock wiped out by this virus as we have already seen in continental Europe.' Mr Gooch added: 'Housing birds presents significant challenges to free range egg producers but they understand that it is important to reduce the risk of AI spreading. 'It's crucial for consumers to remember that AI is not a food safety issue and free range eggs will remain a nutritious staple of British diets.' Advertisement !- - ad: https://mads.dailymail.co.uk/v8/ru/femail/food/article/other/mpu_factbox.html?id=mpu_factbox_1 - ->

One mother took to the Facebook group Hampstead Mums on Sunday night after spotting one of the new labels on a carton of eggs from M&S.

She was concerned that the supermarket was caging their hens - but M&S have categorically denied that their birds are being caged, with labels clearly stating they are 'housed in barns for their welfare'.

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: 'As a result of changes due to come into force on March 1, a number of free range egg farmers in England will lose their free-range status.

'Retailers have worked closely with their suppliers to develop solutions to minimise the disruption for their customers including store notices and stickers to indicate which eggs have been laid by hens temporarily housed in barns for their welfare.'

The woman told fellow mothers that M&S had assured her that 'all [of their] egg-laying hens are currently housed for their welfare' and promised that 'birds will be allowed to return outdoors as soon as it is safe to do so'.

The regulations have caused confusion with some customers believing their free range eggs have come from caged hens, although M&S insist they are simply being held in barns

This confused mum vowed never to buy eggs from M&S again because she believed that the supermarket's chickens were being caged - but the store insists they are not

A customer rep assured her there were 'no food safety concerns'.

The issue is affecting all supermarkets, with other stores also changing the labels on their free-range eggs to alert customers to the flu outbreak.

A representative for M&S told MailOnline that the store 'does not sell any eggs from caged birds'.

Last year, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) told farmers to ensure all poultry is kept away from any contact with wild birds in the wake of a bird flu outbreak sweeping Europe.

The H5N8 strain has been found in birds from 14 European countries including Britain, France, Germany and Sweden.

Under Defra regulation, birds can be housed for up to 12 weeks and still be classed as 'free range', but this will come to an end on February 28.

But stores including M&S, Tesco and the Co-Op have alerted customers to the change.