London (CNN Business) UK supermarkets could face shortages of meat and other fresh food within weeks after soaring gas prices prompted a major US fertilizer manufacturer to suspend production, turning off most of Britain's supply of carbon dioxide to the food and drink industry in the process. CF Industries CF Illinois-basedsaid last week that it would halt operations indefinitely at its two UK plants because of the high price of natural gasThose plants supply 60% of the United Kingdom's food-grade CO2 as a byproduct of fertilizer production, according to the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA), which warned on Friday that the supply shock could cause food shortages within 14 days once current stocks of CO2 gas run out. The gas is used to stun animals for slaughter, as well as in packaging to extend the shelf life of fresh, chilled and baked goods, and in the production of carbonated drinks. BMPA CEO Nick Allen told the BBC on Saturday that he has been "inundated" with calls since the factories shut. "Retailers are really concerned about it," he added.

Source: CNN September 20, 2021 11:44 UTC