The Cold Chain Federation (CCF) has welcomed a major new National Audit Office (NAO) report into the resilience of the UK food supply chain, published on 4 September 2026, which provides independent evidence supporting many of the concerns and recommendations CCF has been raising with Government. The report examines the risks facing the UK food supply, Defra’s understanding and management of those risks, and its preparedness for severe disruption, with the cold chain identified as a critical part of the food supply system.
With more than half of the UK’s food stored or transported under temperature-controlled conditions, the resilience of the cold chain is critical to maintaining the nation’s food supply.
The NAO notes that while Defra understands the cold chain in broad terms, it lacks a detailed understanding of the role cold stores play in supporting retailers, managing fluctuations in demand and holding food stocks, as well as the consequences if key facilities were to fail.
Phil Pluck, CEO of the Cold Chain Federation, said: “These are worrying times for the UK’s food supply and its 70 million citizens. Threats to our food supply are now too numerous and too dangerous. From climate change, global supply routes under threat, cyber threats, and future pandemics becoming reality, the government cannot just hope that businesses will ride out such global and existential challenges without protection and support.
“Now is the time for food supply experts AND government to work together to ensure robust food supplies reach the public no matter what crisis hits the UK.
“The new report from the National Audit Office is welcome and echoes many of the challenges and solutions raised in the Cold Chain Federation’s own ‘The Critical Link’ white paper released in June. The government must act on these warnings to ensure we continue to manage major threats to food supply before the public is put at risk of food shortages.”
The white paper warned that the cold chain was not sufficiently understood or reflected in food security and Critical National Infrastructure planning and called for major cold stores and transport hubs to be recognised as critical infrastructure.
The NAO recommends accelerating work to identify critical food infrastructure, alongside refreshed engagement with food supply chain businesses, greater private sector involvement in emergency planning and consideration of resilience measures used elsewhere, including stockpiling.
CCF engaged with the NAO during its independent study, providing industry evidence and expertise. Alongside Magnavale, CCF facilitated a visit to Magnavale Easton, one of the UK’s largest cold stores, enabling the NAO team to see first-hand the role temperature-controlled infrastructure plays in the food supply chain.
CCF will continue to work with Government and industry to strengthen UK food supply resilience and ensure its critical infrastructure is properly understood and protected.
- Read the National Audit Office’s Resilience of the Food Supply Chain to Disruptions report here.
- Watch CCF’s report launch webinar, featuring guests from the NAO here.
