Nutella fans freaking out over possible shortage as factory workers go on strike

If you can't function properly without your daily dose of Nutella, you might want to consider stocking up on jars of the popular chocolate and hazelnut spread.

That's because the world's biggest Nutella factory has recently been brought to a near-standstill.

Workers in Villers-Écalles in France are currently on strike and are picketing the site over ongoing salary negotiations, meaning only one production line is still operating.

A whopping 600,000 jars of Nutella are produced on the site each day, but this amount has been heavily reduced as trucks carrying key ingredients have been unable to enter the factory for a week due to the picket line.

Similarly trucks containing Nutella have also been unable to leave.

Production at the world's largest Nutella factory has been drastically reduced due to a worker strike (AFP/Getty Images)

Around 160 of the factory's 350 members of staff have staged the walk out to demand a 4.5 percent pay rise, one time 900-euro bonuses and better working conditions.

The next negotiation meeting between the Workers' Force union and company is scheduled for June 13 and Ferrero France Management say they hope normal operations can be resumed "soon".

Despite this, workers are predicting that the factory will have to temporarily stop making Nutella because of the strike, which has sparked concerns that there could be a worldwide shortage of the stuff.

Kinder Bueno bars are also made at the same factory so there is speculation that these too could face production problems.

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A Ferrero spokesperson has denied shortage claims, telling French media: "There is no supply problem".

The company have also obtained a court injunction ordering those picketing to allow the trucks to pass.

Those who fail to do so will be met with a €1,000 fine.

All of this has done little to reassure Nutella fans online though, with many still freaking out about the prospect of a shortage.

Taking to Twitter people were quick to demand Ferrero simply "give the people what they want".

One person said: "This is war... you don't mess with my Nutella."

Another commented: "WE HAVE A MAJOR CRISIS INCOMING: There could be a Nutella shortage!"

Someone else said: "The threat of a worldwide Nutella shortage has me more nervous than it should, really."

A third simply wrote: "Oh god nooooo."

"Excuse me while I raid the stores," joked a fourth.