The excitement about FIFA World Cup 2018 is at all time high currently. But the cheering crowd is disappointed as the beer supply is majorly affected. There were reports of Russia's restaurants struggling with the beer crisis already and now the larger problem has been found. The levels of the food-grade carbon dioxide are going low, which means the production and supply of Europe’s meat, drink supplies including beer will be affected.

Big manufacturers have already sent out warnings to sellers and consumers about the shortage that will be looming over for quite a few weeks. The crisis is ill-timed with the football games going on in all fervour. Gas World, the trade journal was the first to report on the EU-wide shortage of CO2. It was described as "worst supply situation to hit the European carbon dioxide business in decades." Environmental-Friendly Alcohol: This Beer in Sweden is Brewed From Recycled Sewage Water.

What has caused the shortage of food grade CO2?

The food-grade carbon dioxide comes majorly from the ammonia plants. But as much as 5 gas producers planned a shutdown for the maintenance. At the same time, other EU bio-ethanol plants which provide an alternate source of the gas have also been not working because of the repair work. So currently only one major CO2 producers is working, so the supply is limited. This gas is a major component to make carbonate products such as soda and beer. It is also used during the bottling and kegging process.

This shortage thus affects the brewers hard time. Even the supply of fizzy drinks will be affected as the production cannot take place. The biggest of the brewers in the continent have also been restricting their supply to customers. There is a strict rationing being done on beers and cider suppliers. The supplies of Coca-Cola and Heineken will be disrupted followed by some other European food and drink companies.

Not drinks alone but even the meat supplies will remain affected due to the shortage. Carbon dioxide is a major part of packaging meat. The Grocer, a weekly food industry magazine, mentioned in a report last week that about nine Britain’s largest poultry plants were facing “critical” shortages of CO2 gas.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2018 04:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).