Carbon dioxide shortage threatens food and drink supplies

The potential shortage, an indirect consequence of the rise in gas prices, has brought warnings from the British Soft Drinks Association (BDSA) and several food companies, including poultry producers.

The BDSA said: “Any local shortage of CO2 risks impacting a wide range of businesses across the food and drink sector.

“Drinks producers in the UK are monitoring the current situation and have plans in place to help maintain their service to customers including working with CO2 suppliers to mitigate any possible impact as well as looking at alternative sources.”

CO2 is used in slaughterhouses to gas pigs and also used to stun chickens and turkeys, so any shortage could affect supplies of pork and Christmas poultry.

Another use is for dry ice, which is used to keep all sorts of products cold during transport.

The British Poultry Council said: “We use CO2 in the slaughter process, packaging, and chilling stages of poultry meat production.

“If any of these stages is slowed or interrupted then so is the food supply. It really is as simple as that.”

The last shortage of CO2 in 2018 saw wholesaler Booker rationing beer and cider.

The reason for the shortage this time is that major fertiliser companies have stopped producing because gas is too expensive.

One of the key by-products of fertiliser production is food grade CO2 so this supply has now been suspended.