Scientist explains why popular drinks are missing from supermarket shelves

Shoppers have noticed the popular products missing from supermarket shelves recently and there’s a concerning reason behind it.

Empty shelves in Australian supermarkets have raised concerns over future supply shortages of a key ingredient in some of the nation’s favourite beverages.

Shoppers have noticed a shortage of soft drinks in major supermarkets, and now an electrochemical engineer from the University of Newcastle has helped explain why.

“Have you noticed the fizzy drink shelves are looking a little empty at the moment?” Dr Jess Allen said in a post shared to TikTok.

Uni of Newcastle electrochemical engineer Jess Allen explained why there had been soft drink shortages. Picture: Instagram

Empty shelves in the soft drink aisle of a supermarket. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

“Somewhat ironically it’s because we’re actually running low on carbon dioxide, which is the main ingredient to make a carbonated beverage.

“Have you wondered where that carbon dioxide actually comes from to begin with?

“Well in NSW, one of the main suppliers of food grade carbon dioxide is an ammonia manufacturing plant.”

The carbon dioxide is a common by-product of the ammonia manufacturing process.

Dr Allen said the recent supply shortage was linked to a closed ammonia plant. Picture: Instagram

The Orica ammonia manufacturing plant on Kooragang Island in Newcastle closed between February and April this year due to an unplanned outage, halting the production of CO2 and creating shortages for food and drink products.

Coles and Woolworths customers reported seeing empty shelves in the soft drink aisle at stores with home brand beverages, and small suppliers like Diet Rite and La Ice cola were all in short supply.

One of the nation’s two major carbon dioxide suppliers, British multinational BOC, said the issue has been resolved and full supply had been restored.

“BOC is committed to increasing long-term carbon dioxide reliability and supply for our customers,” the company said.

Carbon dioxide is also used for sparkling wine, cooling meat and in hospitals. Picture: Supplied

A new production facility is nearing completion in Longford, Victoria with the capacity to produce about 60,000 tonnes per annum of beverage-grade liquid carbon dioxide. It is expected to be operational later this year.

However, the other major supplier, French group Air Liquide, said “the nation’s CO2 situation remains tight” and there were source availability issues in Victoria.

“Air Liquide continues to monitor and manage its storage and supply chain for its customers with a view to minimising the impact to its customers,” the company said.

The carbon dioxide supply is not just a problem for soft drink production, as it’s also a key ingredient in sparkling wine and beer and is used in the cooling of packaged meat and in hospitals.

In South Australia, the closure of the Torrens Island A gas-fired power station in September 2022 resulted in supply issues for local wineries and impacted the production of sparkling wines.