CO2 crisis: Shops could run out of food and drink as the Government prepares to step in

SHOPS and pubs could start running out of some food and drink items as soon as this weekend, as Ministers are poised to intervene to help businesses. 

Supplies of the gas are now running so low that it is feared that production of items which are made and packaged using carbon dioxide could cease within days.  

These include fizzy drinks, including beer, which are injected with CO2, as well as meat, poultry, salads, ready meals and long life bread, which are all packaged using the gas.  

Many manufacturers have been relying on their crisis reserves of CO2 for at least two days, sources said. This means if the shortage is not resolved, production would suddenly cease. 

It comes just as the continued warm weather in Britain and the World Cup has led to a surge in demand for food and fizzy drinks.  

The situation appears to be so precarious that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has set up an emergency committee which is establishing the scale of the problem and the threat to businesses.

It has asked food and drink manufacturers running critically low on CO2 to report to them so it can intervene to improve the situation if necessary. For example, providing technical assistance at CO2 production plants or providing extra transport for distributing supplies. 

A Government spokesperson said: “The Government is aware that there are reports of a CO2 shortage affecting the food and drink sector, and that industry is working to find a solution.

“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 CO2 suppliers.”

Officials from Defra will hold a meeting today with the Food and Drink Federation, which represents UK food and drink manufacturers, to establish what needs to be done. 

The British Poultry Council warned on Thursday that a “severe lack” of carbon dioxide was threatening meat production in the UK and said one poultry factory had only a day’s supply remaining. 

The British Soft Drinks Association said the shortage was "impacting a wide range of businesses across the food and drink sector".

Most CO2 which is used for food and drink production is made as a byproduct of ammonia.

Supply began tightening in April due to some ammonia plants closing for maintenance works, however the situation has now become critical because other plants have had to close due to technical issues, at a time when they should be ramping up production. 

The shortage has been described as the "worst supply situation to hit the European carbon dioxide (CO2) business in decades".