Supplies of carbon dioxide (CO2) in New Zealand are having to be rationed due to shortages following the closure of the country’s sole food-grade CO2 production facility, according to a Reuters report.

Often used to fizz soft drinks and beer, CO2 is also used in food packaging, hospitals and in the slaughter of animals.

The rationing is believed to be a result of a safety-related CO2 production plant shutdown. The facility – located in Taranaki on New Zealand’s North Island – is run by Todd Energy and said in a statement it has to close while a plant safety issue was investigated.

According to Todd Energy, the closure began more than two weeks ago, prior to Christmas, and no reopening date has been given.

In a written statement, Mark Macfarlane, Chief Executive of Todd Energy said that the shutdown was necessary to enable the issue to be ‘clearly defined’.