UK public at risk of food and medicine shortages

The UK cold chain industry, represented by the Cold Chain Federation (CCF), calls on the government to take immediate, decisive action to safeguard the critical infrastructure that stores and transports essential perishable goods, such as food and medicine.

50% of all food supplied to the UK consumer is temperature-controlled and if this supply is not controlled and protected in times of crisis then this vital food and medicine source will cause severe shortages. In turn, research shows that this causes civil unrest and further food inflation. 

Recent disruptions—including the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit, and extreme weather through climate change have starkly exposed the fragility of food supplies. And in the background is the reality of declining food productivity in the UK and globally.

The CCF issues a clear warning: the government’s failure to recognise the cold chain’s critical importance endangers the nation’s access to life essential supplies.

The potential for civil unrest due to food supply disruptions is not just a possibility—it is a looming threat.

This week, the CCF formally communicated its concerns to Ministers, outlining necessary actions to fortify the cold chain against future challenges. The cold chain industry demands the government take two essential steps:

  • To recognise the cold chain sector as critical national infrastructure ensuring government support in providing vital food and medicine supplies to the UK public.
  • To work with the Cold Chain Federation to conduct a review of cold chain resilience across the UK and to develop a Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) as a matter of urgency.

Currently, there are 13 recognised national critical infrastructures. However, cold chain services related to food and health are inadequately classified under existing designations. The government must acknowledge that significant and essential cold chain infrastructure requires its designation to secure adequate oversight and protection.

As an example, the recent government Food Security Report failed to mention the cold chain sector and its resources in any part of the report and yet 50% of the UK food supply is stored or transported by it. 

Preventing failure in the cold chain is not an option; it is an absolute imperative. The consequences of a disrupted cold chain are severe: immediate impacts on food and pharmaceutical supply threaten the fundamental needs of the UK population. This disruption can lead to widespread health crises due to inadequate nutrition and could trigger civil unrest.

Additionally, the sustainability implications are alarming; without a robust cold chain to swiftly transport perishable products from farms to consumers, the waste of vital foodstuffs will escalate—something developing countries experience daily due to their inadequate cold chain infrastructure.

Phil Pluck, CEO of the Cold Chain Federation, said:

“The cold chain is the backbone of a healthy society, guaranteeing the safety and quality of food, medicine, and plants. However, it is confronted with escalating challenges, and the government must urgently recognise its critical role. We maintain a sophisticated network that supplies 50% of the nation’s food and medicines, yet this network is alarmingly vulnerable to external threats.

Food shortages yield two specific outcomes: skyrocketing food inflation and social unrest. We cannot afford to be complacent and assume that food supply in the UK is secure. The cold chain sector operates tirelessly to deliver food and medicine to consumers and healthcare providers. We all face serious repercussions if energy or logistical disruptions occur at these vital facilities. Having navigated global supply disruptions, climate change, and the ramifications of Brexit, we now face even more significant challenges ahead. The government has a crucial responsibility to support the public’s access to food and medicine in the future. With government support, we can bolster the economy, create more jobs, and facilitate the transition to net zero. But, most importantly we can ensure that vital food and medicine are delivered to the UK public.

Contact

Liam Challenger – liam@coldchainfed.org.uk 07778710845

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