UK Prepares for Food Shortages Caused by Iran War CO2 Crunch

Carbon dioxide is vital for the food industry.

Photographer: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images

The UK has drawn up plans to prepare for potential food disruption as the Iran conflict causes a drop-off in supplies of carbon dioxide used widely in the industry.

In a “reasonable worst-case scenario,” officials don’t foresee aisles of empty shelves but do expect a lack of product variety in shops if the Strait of Hormuz — the key waterway in the Gulf where trade has all but ceased since the war erupted — has not reopened by June.