Potential Canned Whip Cream Shortage Could Ruin Everything

What's a baker or whipped cream enthusiast to do with this shocking news?

I can detect jelly roll, Christmas log, pie, and fans of, dare I say, adult activities, cringing over this news.

A shortage of canned whipped topping appears to be looming, blamed on a fatal explosion at a Florida nitrous oxide plant in late August.

According to chicagotribune.com Conagra Brands, the Chicago food manufacturer that makes Reddi-wip, confirmed that its supply of nitrous oxide, which is a propellant for aerosol toppings, was affected by the blast.

Spokeswoman Lanie Friedman had this to say about the product to the Chicago Tribune:

It's in stores now, but we're encouraging people to buy it early. There will be a shortage if people buy at the typical levels during the holidays

The story states that the plant's operations will be affected for an unknown period of time and the company's supply of nitrous oxide which is also used for medical purposes was temporarily limited. Obviously as Airgas built its supply back up, the priority has been on meeting the needs of its medical customers, not food manufacturers.

So your yummy topping for baking, or hot chocolate, or even your special sexy holiday plans may be off the table, so to speak, for awhile. Bummer.