Industry group warns UK CO2 crisis poses risk of meat supply issues

An industry group has warned that the carbon dioxide (CO2) shortage in the UK risks resulting in imminent meat supply issues, according to Reuters.

A sharp rise in gas prices has forced a number of domestic energy suppliers out of business and shut multiple fertiliser plants, which produce CO2 as a by-product.

The meat processing industry’s lobby group has warned that companies will start running out of CO2 within the week and could be forced to halt production, disrupting supplies to retailers. 

According to the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA), “CO2 gas plays a critical and irreplaceable role in the food and drink manufacturing process and businesses can grind to a halt if they cannot secure an adequate supply”.

CO2 gas is used for a variety of purposes, including to stun animals before slaughter, vacuum pack products to increase shelf life and add fizz into alcoholic and soft drinks. CO2 is also used in its solid form – dry ice – in food deliveries.

Cited by Reuters, BPMA CEO Nick Allen told Sky News: “We’re struggling to keep our plants running, we’re struggling to keep the food supply chains running and this is going to be quite challenging for us”.

“We’re two weeks away from seeing some real impacts on the shelves,” he said.