UK Supermarket Chains Shut Fridges During Record June Heat

Britain's largest supermarket chains closed chilled and frozen sections after refrigeration units failed to maintain safe temperatures during the three hottest June days on record. Tesco, Sainsbury's, M&S and Waitrose branches across the UK reported the shutdowns.

Shoppers found entire aisles cordoned off and chest freezers empty. Staff at several stores bagged food for disposal as the heatwave continued through the week.

Ashby, chief executive of the British Frozen Food Federation, attributed the failures to refrigeration units installed about 40 years ago. The systems connect multiple fridges and freezers to central units located in car parks or on rooftops. "These might have been built 40 years ago, and they're very efficient, in a temperate climate, taking the hot air out and dumping it outside," Ashby said.

" In older stores, failure of one machine can shut down the entire connected system. Reports came from locations ranging from Essex to Newcastle and Bristol to Carlisle, and as far as the Isle of Man.

Ashby stated the shutdowns were driven by food safety requirements rather than cost concerns. Retailers would not sell products that could not be kept at safe temperatures. "In fact, if you needed a shorter answer to why this has happened this week, it's a food safety issue," he said.

Modern stores using plug-in units and raised modular floors experienced fewer problems because individual units could be isolated. Some retailers placed screens over open fridges to help retain cold air.

The Cold Chain Federation warned that chilled warehouses supplying the stores could also fail if extreme temperatures persist. Ashby said he had previously raised the need for infrastructure improvements with government ministers. He has now written to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband proposing an increase in standard freezer temperatures from -18C.