UK energy crisis: Govt in CO2 deal to avert food shortages

By DANICA KIRKA
Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — The British government has agreed to give financial support to a U.S. firm that produces much of the country’s carbon dioxide. The move is designed to avert shortages of meat, poultry and packaged foods amid a crisis triggered by soaring energy costs. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said Tuesday that the government would provide “limited financial support” for three weeks to  CF Industries. The firm shut down its plants last week due to high natural gas prices. Carbon dioxide is used to stun animals before slaughter, preserve fruits and vegetables before packaging, and to put the fizz into carbonated beverages. The head of a food and beverage manufacturers’ group says shoppers could begin to notice shortages “in about 10 days.”