Bunnings has drawn a mixed response from customers across the country for an edict to local organisations running their iconic weekend sausage sizzles.

The hardware store chain has requested that, in what has been interpreted as something of a break from tradition, when a customer asks for onions on their sausage, that said onions be placed in between the bread and the snag. 

The switcheroo has been put in place to ensure nobody slips and falls on any onion carelessly jettisoned from atop the sizzled sausage, according to Bunnings chief operating officer, Debbie Poole.

“Safety is always 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,” she said.

“This recommendation is provided to the community groups within their fundraising sausage sizzle welcome pack and is on display within the gazebos when barbeques are underway.

“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.”

While it’s uncertain whether the changes for the iconic snags will also be in place for the equally iconic democracy sausages at Victorian polling booths later this month or indeed, across the nation at next year’s federal election, customers at Bunnings in Albury met the change with a measure of enthusiasm.

In fact, Albury’s Tony Webster has long preferred his onion to be beneath the sausage.

“I think it makes sense, the onion should go against the break, and I’m all in favour of a slice of bread rather than a roll or a bun,” he said.

“The only thing that should be on top is a bit of sauce.” 

Tawonga’s Maggie Lyons said the onion flip made sense.

“It’s never been a concern for me, I’m an onion lover but it wouldn’t worry me at all if it were underneath.”