News food processing
Empty shelves threaten in UK due to acute CO2 shortage
There is an acute shortage of CO2 in the United Kingdom, which also affects the food chain. It is not unlikely that this will result in empty shelves.
Due to the closure of 2 fertilizer factories, as a result of the high gas prices, considerably less CO2 is produced. This by-product is gratefully purchased by slaughterhouses, which stun animals with it during the slaughter process. Beverage manufacturers also use CO2 to add carbon dioxide to beer and soft drinks. CO2 is also used to package food.
Due to the looming shortage, dark clouds hang over Britain's food supply. Representatives of the meat sector say that some slaughterhouses only have stock until the end of this week. There are no alternatives to stun animals. This means that meat processing may come to a halt very soon. British livestock farmers are also closely monitoring the situation. When the slaughtering process stagnates, the cattle cannot leave and overcrowded stables threaten with all the consequences that entails.
Christmas without turkey
At this time of year, preparations are underway to produce turkeys, which top the British Christmas menu. Slaughterhouses say this party will not take place unless a solution is found quickly. The government is looking to solve this problem.
More problems
Apart from the CO2 shortage, the British food sector is already struggling with the necessary problems. This is partly due to a lack of staff. Many migrant workers have left as a result of Brexit. The quarantine obligations surrounding corona also throw a spanner in the works. Last week the coverage came out that the milk in some places is no longer picked up.
Wouter Job
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