Co2 crisis sparks crumpet shortage, and Brits are outraged.
Crumpets are now added to the list of products under threat, which already includes beer, fizzy drinks, salad and meat.
Warburtons said in a statement: “As a result of the ongoing CO2 shortage, we are producing nowhere near the 1.5 million packs of crumpets we usually make each week and have had to suspend production at a number of our bakeries.”
The company declared the production of crumpets will either be stopped or reduced until carbon dioxide levels return back to normal levels, but added Warburtons was hard at work to complete all expected deliveries to stores around the UK.
The production of bread will not be affected, the food manufacturing giant confirmed.
A spokeswoman for Warburtons added: “We are producing around 50 per cent of what we normally make.
“We use CO2 in the packaging to create a protective atmosphere for our products – they’re quite vulnerable due to the moisture levels so we need to make sure they are protected to keep them fresher for longer.
“It doesn’t affect bread at all.”
Beer and fizzy drink supplies have been reduced across all pubs in the UK, following the nationwide carbon dioxide shortage during Britain’s hot summer month.
Food wholesale Bookers, which sells drinks to restaurants and bars, has rationed the number of beers being sold to customers at 10, and the number of soft drinks or cider to five.
Bookers said: “Due to the international shortage of CO2, we are experiencing some supply issues on soft drinks and beer.
“We are currently working hard with our suppliers to minimise the impact for our customers and cannot comment further at this stage.”
Wetherspoons pub goers have also been warned their favourite beers and ciders could soon run out of stock.
Wetherspoon spokesman, Eddie Gershon said: “We are fully aware of the situation. We are monitoring the situation closely with our suppliers, in order to minimise any disruptions that might occur.”
Coca-Cola halted the production of drinks during the weekend, while Heineken drinks which includes John Smith’s Extra Smooth and Amstel have also been affected.
