Emergency bird flu measures have led to millions of UK eggs losing their free range status.

The BBC reports that since December, poultry has had to be kept indoors under government orders to prevent the spread of the disease.

EU regulations mean that if birds have been housed for more than 12 weeks they cannot be marketed as free range-even though the eggs look, taste and cost the same and are perfectly safe.

The BBC says the emergency measures are now being scaled back, but many farmers are keeping their hens indoors for the birds' protection.

In the meantime to avoid confusion, the industry has decided to label free-range egg cartons with stickers stating the contents were "laid by hens temporarily housed in barns for their welfare".

The UK has four different types of eggs-organic, free-range, barn-reared, and caged.