The Critical Link: A Resilience Strategy for Protecting UK Food Supply Against Growing Threats to the Cold Chain sets out ten recommendations, including formal recognition of the cold chain as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). The report highlights rising threats from energy instability, cyber-attacks, climate impacts, labour shortages and global supply chain disruption, warning that without stronger resilience planning, food availability and affordability could be significantly affected — particularly for vulnerable communities.

According to the CCF, the cold chain contributes £14bn to the UK economy each year, supports 184,000 jobs and generates £3.7bn in tax revenue, underpinning food supply across supermarkets, restaurants, schools, hospitals, foodbanks and home deliveries. The recommendations call for improved preparedness and response planning, greater integration of cold chain considerations into food security policy, and stronger recognition of the sector within national resilience frameworks.

CCF CEO Phil Pluck said the government must act quickly: “By failing to act on food resilience planning in the UK, the government are failing to protect essential food supplies to the UK public… Having created the strategy, now is the time for the government to act, and fast.”

CCF Deputy CEO Tom Southall added: “The role of the cold chain is shamefully undervalued in UK food security and resilience policy… there is a need for urgent action to recognise the role cold chain plays in society.”

The CCF is urging policymakers, industry stakeholders and the wider food sector to engage with the report and its recommendations.