The government has struck a deal with a major carbon dioxide supplier to prevent further shortages which have triggered food supply chaos.
Fertiliser firm CF Industries stopped operation at two UK plants this week due to soaring gas prices.
The government has now made a deal with the US firm, that supplies 60% of the UK’s food-grade CO2, to restart production amid food shortage warnings.
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But it could take as long as three days for CF Industries’ plants to start producing CO2 again.
The move comes after several days of crisis talks between the company and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.
Mr Kwarteng said on Tuesday that he was optimistic of securing a deal with the US firm.
The Business Secretary said: “We are hopeful that we can get something sorted today and get production up and running in the next few days.”
CO2 is widely used in the food industry in brewing, packaging, and storing for meat and salads, along with being used when slaughtering animals to stun them.
It is also used in beer and fizzy drinks, as well as in the vacuum-packing process.
Food and Drink Federation chief executive Ian Wright said that potential shortages of CO2 signified “a real crisis”.
Mr Wright said: “We probably have about 10 days before this gets to the point where consumers, shoppers and diners notice that those products are not available.”
Whilst it is not known what incentives were used by the Government when securing this deal, Mr Kwarteng hinted that production could be subsidised so food and drink supplies are not impacted and supply issues can be alleviated
Wholesale prices for gas have surged 250% since the start of the year, with a 70% rise in August alone.
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