Supplies of the popular whipped toppings like Reddi-wip and other canned brands are running low across the United States ahead of the holiday season because of shortfalls of nitrous oxide, according to emerging media reports.

It may be noted here the nitrous oxide is the same gas that is used as a propellant for the “aerosol whipped” topping.

Lanie Friedman, a spokesperson for Reddi-wip owner Conagra Brands, acknowledged that the shortage of some whipped toppings has become an industry-wide supply issue.

Commenting on media repots, Friedman said, “Due to an industry-wide supply issue, there is currently a shortage of some whipped toppings, including Reddi-wip. We’ve heard some stores throughout the country are already experiencing shortages and others still have plenty of products on shelf.”

Shortfalls of nitrous oxide have been caused by a factory explosion at an Airgas facility in Cantonment, Florida, which left a worker dead earlier this year. Another facility in the neighboring nation of Canada was shut down.

Reddi-wip, which was first introduced during post-Second World War food shortages, now accounts for nearly half of the canned whipped cream consumed in the United States.