UK Prepares for Potential Food Shortages as Strait of Hormuz Closure Threatens CO2 Supply

Gate News message, April 16 — The UK government is preparing contingency plans for potential food shortages expected within two months as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran War threatens carbon dioxide (CO2) supplies. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has instructed the government’s emergency committee, COBRA, to model worst-case scenarios should the conflict extend into summer.

CO2 is critical to UK food production and distribution, used to extend shelf life of packaged meats, baked goods, and salads, as well as in chicken slaughter processes and carbonation of beer and soft drinks. Officials warn that CO2 supplies could drop to as little as 18 percent of current levels if a key UK manufacturing plant suffers mechanical failure and gas production costs remain elevated. Products at risk include beer, fizzy drinks, chicken, packaged pork, baked goods, and salad.

The government has drawn up contingency measures under the codename “Exercise Turnstone,” which include restarting the Ensus bioethanol plant in Teesside for three months and plans to compel factories to increase CO2 production to 100 percent by halting other manufacturing. Emergency legislation and potential invocation of the Civil Contingencies Act—which grants ministers temporary powers during national emergencies—have been discussed. Officials stressed that while shortages are not expected to be critical, reduced variety on supermarket shelves could be “highly visible” and risk undermining government messaging on supply chain resilience.

Priority will be given to healthcare and civil nuclear operations, including dry ice for blood supplies and vaccines. Prime Minister Starmer is set to co-host a meeting on Friday with more than 40 nations working to reopen the strait, as a ceasefire between Iran and the US approaches expiration.