CO2 crisis will force shops to cut food sell-by dates amid panic-buying fears

Sell-by dates on packaged food will be reduced as a result of a nationwide shortage of carbon dioxide, the Telegraph has learnt.

The gas is used in the vacuum-packing process for meat, poultry, cheese, salads and ready meals to preserve them. Industry insiders say that to avoid such products running out, they will have to be given a shorter shelf life.

In order to eke out existing supplies of CO2, factories are likely to dilute it with other gases, which will affect the length of time they can be left on shelves before being consumed.

As a result, shoppers are being warned to pay close attention to what they buy, with consumer groups saying they could be “caught out” by the shorter dates.

Supplies of beer and fizzy drinks could also run low but shoppers have been told there is no need to panic-buy despite what has been described as the "worst C02 supply situation in Europe for decades".

One industry source told The Telegraph: “In the short term, we are likely to see the shortening of use-by dates on anything that is vacuum-packed as opposed to lack of supply of products - that is the more pressing concern.”

James Daley of the consumer group Fairer Finance said: “It is important retailers are really clear with customers about the change. If someone is used to buying something regularly, and the date is usually a standard time away, then they will not necessarily be checking the use by date.

“It is incumbent on retailers to be clear if use by dates are shortened - the responsibility lies with them.”

Sell-by dates are expected to be shortened by a day on average.

It comes as some retailers have already reported issues with supply of certain goods in parts of the UK.

Wetherspoons has already warned it will run out of popular brands of beer. Meanwhile the British Poultry Council has said 60 per cent of chicken production will need to be suspended within days.

The shortage has arisen because CO2 is a by-product of ammonia fertiliser production plants, many of which have closed for maintenance over the summer while demand for ammonia from farmers is low. Gas is expensive and difficult to import, meaning food producers depend on local suppliers.

Food and drink industry bodies have been urgently consulting with the Government, supermarkets and other sellers to find ways of avoiding empty shelves.

“We should not panic buy,” Mr Daley said. “People should stay calm. We are fortunate to have a great selection of different foods to choose from.”

Some Twitter users, however, said they had already started panic-buying. One shop worker said she was “telling customers not to panic buy, yet I’m panic buying” - while others were stockpiling beer to beat any shortages ahead of England’s World Cup match against Panama on Sunday.

Tesco said it was “working with our suppliers to help minimise disruption for our customers” while Sainsbury’s said it was making sure it had “contingencies in place”.

A Government spokesman said: “Whilst this is an issue for industry, the Government is in contact with the relevant companies and trade associations, including those within the food and drink sector and main carbon dioxide suppliers.”