Warburtons crumpet production has returned to normal after the business secured a supply of carbon dioxide.

The Bolton-based firm had revealed last week that there were shortages of its crumpets, due to the ongoing carbon dioxide supply crisis that has severely impacted meat processors and drink suppliers.

Some bakeries use modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) for products such as crumpets, wraps, naan breads, part-baked bread and cakes. In such cases, the oxygen is removed and replaced with a mix of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, with the carbon dioxide preventing mould growth and the nitrogen used as a filler gas to replace oxygen and prevent pack collapse.

Warburtons today (4 July) said its CO2 supplies were back to normal at its Enfield and Burnley sites, where crumpet production had been suspended.

“After a tricky couple of weeks, we have finally received a supply of C02 and production has returned to normal at all sites,” said Warburtons corporate and consumer affairs manager Tearmh Taylor. “We will be back on Britain’s shelves this week, ready for our customers to enjoy.”

Campden BRI yesterday announced it would be launching a project to investigate the impact of carbon dioxide on the shelf life of modified atmosphere packed foods. The consultancy said it had been inundated with queries from companies across the food industry, concerned about how the ongoing carbon dioxide shortage would affect their products.