Bunnings sausage sizzle: Australians outraged after DIY shop changes 'snag' sandwich recipe for health and safety reasons

Home improvement store Bunnings is facing a backlash from customers in Australia and New Zealand after it ordered a change to how its well-known Sausage Sizzle sandwich is constructed.

The sausage sizzle, an institution outside the stores, contains a sausage wrapped in bread with onions on top along with your choice of condiments. Money raised from the sale of the food goes to charity.

However due to health and safety reasons, the chain has required that the fried onion has to be placed on the bun first to avoid people slipping from any pieces of onion that have fallen on the floor.

Bunnings Australia chief operating officer Debbie Poole said: “Safety is our number one priority and we recently introduced a suggestion that onion be placed underneath sausages to help prevent the onion from falling out and creating a slipping hazard.

”Regardless of how you like your onion and snag, we are confident this new serving suggestion will not impact the delicious taste or great feeling you get when supporting your local community group.”

The move has sparked backlash from fans of the sausage sizzle, which has become an integral part of a trip to the DIY store.

Even Australia’s prime minister waded in on the debate.

Scott Morrison was asked about the issue during a press conference at the ASEAN summit.

He said: “Whether the onions are on top or underneath, I’ll always be buying sausages on bread.”

However one Queensland farmer told ABC that he had fallen on a stray piece of onion from a Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings.

The 65-year-old, who only gave his first name as Trevor, said: "It is serious stuff, this onion thing."

He said that upon returning to Bunnings following the incident, he had a panic attack and was unable to go shopping there without "checking the floor for onions."