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Carbon dioxide crisis to hit supermarket food choice Carbon dioxide crisis to hit supermarket food choice
(35 minutes later)
The carbon dioxide shortage will start affecting some supplies to supermarkets this weekend, the Food and Drink Federation has warned.The carbon dioxide shortage will start affecting some supplies to supermarkets this weekend, the Food and Drink Federation has warned.
CO2 is used to stun farm animals, put fizz in carbonated drinks and is used in packaging, but is in short supply.CO2 is used to stun farm animals, put fizz in carbonated drinks and is used in packaging, but is in short supply.
Federation chief executive Ian Wright said carbon dioxide supplies were not expected to resume until next week.Federation chief executive Ian Wright said carbon dioxide supplies were not expected to resume until next week.
He said that while stocks would not run out, "choice will be eroded".He said that while stocks would not run out, "choice will be eroded".
Mr Wright told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We will see fewer chicken dishes, fewer pork and bacon dishes.Mr Wright told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We will see fewer chicken dishes, fewer pork and bacon dishes.
"We'll see probably less carbonated drinks and certainly bakery and other things that benefit from what's called modified atmosphere packaging, which is plastic packaging with a tray underneath and a dish of food in them.""We'll see probably less carbonated drinks and certainly bakery and other things that benefit from what's called modified atmosphere packaging, which is plastic packaging with a tray underneath and a dish of food in them."
A number of companies have reported disruption to production because of the shortage.A number of companies have reported disruption to production because of the shortage.
Warburton's, the UK's biggest producer of crumpets, said it has been forced to halt production at two of its four plants.Warburton's, the UK's biggest producer of crumpets, said it has been forced to halt production at two of its four plants.
The company uses carbon dioxide to give its crumpets a longer shelf life and prevent mould.The company uses carbon dioxide to give its crumpets a longer shelf life and prevent mould.
The British Retail Consortium said: "We are aware of specific pressures in some areas such as carbonated soft drinks, beer, British chicken and British pork but the majority of food products are unaffected and retailers do not anticipate food shortages. The British Retail Consortium said: "We are aware of specific pressures in some areas such as carbonated soft drinks, beer, British chicken and British pork but the majority of food products are unaffected and retailers do not anticipate food shortages. However, it is likely that the mix of products available may be affected."
"However, it is likely that the mix of products available may be affected."
The Food and Drink Federation's Mr Wright said that even if supplies of CO2 resumed next week, it would take some time before it made its way to food and drink producers.The Food and Drink Federation's Mr Wright said that even if supplies of CO2 resumed next week, it would take some time before it made its way to food and drink producers.
"Inventories of products have been eroded quite a lot over the last week and not many people keep very large stocks of products because it is not cost-efficient," he explained."Inventories of products have been eroded quite a lot over the last week and not many people keep very large stocks of products because it is not cost-efficient," he explained.
Scotland's biggest abattoir is closed and other meat producers are considering adapting their products to use less CO2. Quality Pork Limited, which operates Scotland's biggest abattoir at Brechin, is closed and other meat producers are considering changes to use less CO2.
Andy McGowan, chief executive of the Scottish Pork Producers co-operative, said he had heard that supplies of CO2 could restart next week, and that Brechin might receive gas in the second half.
Abattoirs use CO2 as part of a pre-slaughter stunning process.
To avoid overcrowding, Quality Pork had sent 2,000 pigs to the meat processor Tulip in England, while 4,000 remained in Scotland.
About 6,000 pigs pass through Brechin every week.
'Nothing concrete'
Some food and drink firms have asked whether the government could help alleviate the problem.Some food and drink firms have asked whether the government could help alleviate the problem.
Mr Wright said ministers could ask suppliers that have stopped production for maintenance to put factories back into production.Mr Wright said ministers could ask suppliers that have stopped production for maintenance to put factories back into production.
What is the problem?
CO2 is widely used in the food processing and drinks industries. It puts the fizz into beer, cider and soft drinks, and is used in food packaging to extend the shelf life of salads, fresh meat and poultry.
The gas is also used to stun pigs and chickens before slaughter, and create dry ice to help keep things chilled while in transit.
However, several UK and mainland European producers of carbon dioxide - a by-product from ammonia production that is used in the fertiliser industry - closed for maintenance or scaled down operations.
In the UK, only two of five plants that supply CO2 are operating at the moment.
What are the pubs saying?
Earlier in the week, the Wetherspoon and Ei Group pub chains reported they had temporarily run out, or were short of, brands including John Smith's, Strongbow, Amstel and Birra Moretti.
However, on Thursday, Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said brewers were "working their socks off around the clock to ensure there is still plenty of beer to go around".
What about the meat industry?
Meat processors are considering shortening "sell by" dates because packaging will contain lower levels of CO2, and there have been concerns about animal welfare if animals don't go to slaughter at their usual rate.
The British Poultry Council said its members continued to live "day-to-day" as they tried to stretch out their dwindling supplies of the gas.
What does the government say?
The meat industry has become increasingly frustrated by a lack of information coming from CO2 firms and the UK government in particular over when supplies might return to normal.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Department of Business have both said they are monitoring the situation.The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Department of Business have both said they are monitoring the situation.
They said: "We have been assured CO2 producers are working as fast as they can to get plants up and running again, with CO2 production set to start very shortly."They said: "We have been assured CO2 producers are working as fast as they can to get plants up and running again, with CO2 production set to start very shortly."
When can the industry expect more supplies? However, Richard Griffiths, chief executive at the British Poultry Council, said: "The most we have heard that it could be sometime next week, but we have had nothing concrete."
The industry trade journal Gas World, which first reported the news that CO2 was running short, said that two tankers full of liquid CO2 from mainland Europe have been delivered to ports in the UK in the past couple of days. He said its members continue to live "day-to-day" as they tried to stretch out their dwindling supplies of the gas.
A number of European plants are beginning to increase supplies, while another factory that had closed because of technical issues rather than maintenance, is due to come back online in mid-July. The industry trade journal Gas World, which first revealed that CO2 was running short, said that two tankers of liquid CO2 from mainland Europe have been delivered to ports in the UK in recent days.
Several European plants are beginning to increase supplies, while another that had closed due to technical issues rather for than maintenance, is due to start operating again in mid-July.
Earlier in the week, the Wetherspoon and Ei Group pub chains reported they had temporarily run out, or were short of, brands including John Smith's, Strongbow, Amstel and Birra Moretti.
However, Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said brewers were "working their socks off around the clock to ensure there is still plenty of beer to go around".