Can't find your favorite canned whipped cream? You're not alone this holiday season. (iStock)
Grocery stores throughout the country are running low on canned whipped cream following a fatal explosion at a Florida nitrous oxide plant in late August.
Lanie Friedman, a spokeswoman for Conagra Foods, confirmed to FoxNews.com that there is currently a nationwide shortage of some of its whipped topping products, including Reddi-wip.
“We are proactively managing the production of Reddi-wip, and are doing the best we can to make it available to as many consumers as possible,” Friedman said.
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But heading into peak holiday party season, many consumers are worried that their pies, cakes,pastries and even coffees just won’t be the same without a dollop of something special on top.
Market Basket, a New England grocery chain, has not been immune from the scarcity of the product used to top pies and desserts.
The store recently posted a sign informing customers of a minimal supply of nitrous-fueled whipped cream. The scarcity, the chain said, could be fixed if and when nitrous oxide producers obtain supplies from overseas.
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Friedman reiterated that the shortage is not specific to the Reddi-Wip brand and is affecting several ready-made whipped toppings. She encouraged concerned customers to stock up where supplies are available.
“This is impacting any company that uses nitrous oxide in food, so includes private label and competitive whipped topping too,” she said. With the chemical shortage, the spokesman reiterated that “medical usage of nitrous oxide takes priority at this point.”
Conagra expects to have its full supply up and running February 2017.
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