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The carbon dioxide shortage across the country has left the shelves in the soft drink aisles of the two major supermarket chains empty. as well as some restaurants.
Shoppers have noticed empty aisles in Woolworths and Coles stores across Australia, and the CO2 shortage is causing supply chain problems for carbonated drinks makers.
Sparkling water and home brand lemonade are the soft drinks believed to be most affected by the problem.
The shortage has affected about 20 Woolworths brand soft drinks.
The nationwide carbon dioxide shortage has left shelves in the soft drink aisles of major supermarket chains and some restaurants empty.
Customers who saw empty aisles at their local supermarket asked Reddit what had happened.
‘I haven’t seen a single bottle of Coles brand diet lemonade in stores. The same with the woolly ones. Does anyone know why they decided to discontinue it? one person wrote.
Dozens of users commented that there was a shortage of carbon dioxide, which is used in soft drinks to create bubbles.
“There is a CO2 shortage. They haven’t had a soda machine at Taco Bell for days!” one wrote.
“I was told at my local IGA that the industrial CO2 shortage was causing unbranded cola to be unavailable,” said another.
“I usually buy sugar-free colas from LA Ice, Que or Colesworth brands (Coles and Woolworths), but here in Sydney they are also missing from the shelves,” wrote one user.
A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that the CO2 shortage had led to a limited supply of soft drinks.
“The CO2 shortage has affected the supply of some soft drinks in our stores,” they said.
“We are working to manage these impacts and there are a number of alternative products available to customers as this shortage continues.”
Sparkling water and private label lemonade are the soft drinks believed to be the most affected due to the problem (file image)
It is also understood that Coles is aware of the issues and is working with suppliers to ensure customers are not affected by the shortages.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Coles for further comment.
The Australian carbon dioxide market depends on two multinational suppliers: the British company BOC and the French company Air Liquide.
A BOC spokesperson told Mercury Illawarra the company was trying to limit the impact of the CO2 shortage.
‘Product has been imported to close the supply gap; “However, due to many current issues affecting international transportation, supply has been affected except for critical medical, security and water treatment customers,” the spokesperson said.
BOC has been contacted for further comment.
Beer supply, however, will not be affected by the shortage.
The latest supply headache comes as food industry leaders in Australia last year raised concerns about carbon dioxide shortages.
The Australian Industrial Gas Association of New Zealand, the peak industry body representing gas companies in both countries, expressed fears the shortage was another sign of Australia’s weak food supply chain.
The agency said shortages are often caused by disruptions to production facilities and Australia’s dependence on foreign producers.
Carbon dioxide is often captured in large quantities at major industrial sites, such as power plants and natural gas processing facilities.
It is removed by burning fossil fuels, such as coal, and the gases emitted during this process are captured before being stored.
CO2 can also be extracted directly from the atmosphere through the air.