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  "path": "/news/iran-war-britain-food-shortages-middle-east-conflict-supplies",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-15T23:39:30.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Mortgage alert: Iran conflict is pushing up costs for UK borrowers, expert warns",
    "Donald Trump confirms he will permanently open the Strait of Hormuz",
    "Donald Trump urged by Saudi Arabia to rein in Middle East war amid fears of Iranian retaliation",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nA secret Government assessment has warned Britain could face shortages of chicken, pork and supermarket staples this summer if the Iran conflict continues.\n\nSenior officials from Downing Street, the Treasury and the Ministry of Defence have carried out confidential planning exercises examining the impact of a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe exercise - codenamed “Exercise Turnstone” - was coordinated through Cobra, the Government’s emergency response committee.\n\nOfficials modelled a “reasonable worst-case scenario” set in June 2026, assuming the key shipping route remains blocked with no lasting peace deal in place.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nAt the centre of the concerns is a potential shortage of carbon dioxide - a gas critical to food production and preservation.\n\nUnder the worst-case scenario, CO2 supplies could fall to just 18 per cent of current levels, triggering major disruption across the food industry.\n\nThe projections assume a major UK production site suffers a breakdown while high gas prices simultaneously hit ammonia and fertiliser production across Europe - both key sources of CO2.\n\nThe gas is essential for extending the shelf life of packaged foods including meat, salads and baked goods.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nCrucially, it is also used in the slaughter of almost all pigs and more than two-thirds of chickens in Britain.\n\nIndustry sources say the meat sector has little surplus stock, while Government reserves would not provide a long-term solution.\n\nAgriculture and hospitality are expected to be hit first, while the brewing sector could also face disruption given CO2 is vital for carbonation.\n\nOfficials are particularly concerned shortages could coincide with the FIFA World Cup, which begins on June 11.\n\n### IRAN WAR - READ THE LATEST:\n\n\n\n\n  * Mortgage alert: Iran conflict is pushing up costs for UK borrowers, expert warns\n  * Donald Trump confirms he will permanently open the Strait of Hormuz\n  * Donald Trump urged by Saudi Arabia to rein in Middle East war amid fears of Iranian retaliation\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nWhile widespread food shortages are not expected, consumers could see reduced choice on supermarket shelves.\n\nMinisters also fear visible disruption could undermine public confidence in wider supply chains.\n\nSir Keir Starmer ordered the Cobra assessment, with officials from health, defence, business, energy and the Food Standards Agency all involved.\n\nHealthcare has been identified as the top priority, with warnings that a collapse in CO2 supply could pose risks to life.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nDry ice - made from carbon dioxide - is essential for cooling blood supplies, transplant organs and vaccines.\n\nDisruption could also affect electricity generation, including nuclear power.\n\nGovernment lawyers have been asked to prepare for the potential use of the Civil Contingencies Act, which would grant ministers sweeping emergency powers.\n\nPlans have also been discussed to force factories to prioritise CO2 production, with emergency legislation potentially passed within days.\n\nCompetition rules could be relaxed to ensure limited supplies are directed towards critical sectors such as healthcare.\n\nCompensation for firms required to halt normal operations and switch to CO2 production could run into tens of millions of pounds.\n\nMinisters have already announced the Ensus bioethanol plant in Teesside will restart operations for three months to help boost supply.\n\nThe Prime Minister is also co-hosting a summit with more than 40 countries aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which Mr Trump has sought to blockade in response to Iranian actions.\n\nThe current ceasefire between Washington and Tehran is due to expire on Tuesday, though White House officials have said talks remain “productive and ongoing”.\n\nA Government spokesman said: “We took decisive action last month to shore up the UK’s critical supplies of CO2 by temporarily restarting the Ensus bioethanol plant in Teesside and are continuing to work closely with business groups to tackle the impacts of events in the Middle East.\n\n“Reasonable worst case scenarios are a planning tool used by experts and are not a prediction of future events.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Britain bracing for food shortages as Iran war threatens key supplies"
}