Tesco debunks rumors on possible shortage of pork, chicken, other grocery items in UK

- Tesco TSCO.L, Britain's biggest food retailer, said there were no issues with food availability after reports warned there could be shortages of chicken, pork and other groceries on UK supermarket shelves this summer due to the war in Iran.

"None of our suppliers have flagged any issues to us at this point. I think that's an important point," Tesco CEO Ken Murphy told reporters on Thursday.

The Times newspaper reported that a government analysis on the impact of the Iran war showed that in a worst case scenario food availability could be hit by a possible shortage of CO2 gas which is a key input in the food industry.

Business minister Peter Kyle told Times Radio that he would not comment on document leaks but he wanted to reassure consumers that the government was planning for all scenarios.

(Reporting by James Davey, writing by Sarah Young, editing by Paul Sandle)- Tesco TSCO.L, Britain's biggest food retailer, said there were no issues with food availability after reports warned there could be shortages of chicken, pork and other groceries on UK supermarket shelves this summer due to the war in Iran.

"None of our suppliers have flagged any issues to us at this point. I think that's an important point," Tesco CEO Ken Murphy told reporters on Thursday.

The Times newspaper reported that a government analysis on the impact of the Iran war showed that in a worst case scenario food availability could be hit by a possible shortage of CO2 gas which is a key input in the food industry.

Business minister Peter Kyle told Times Radio that he would not comment on document leaks but he wanted to reassure consumers that the government was planning for all scenarios.

-Reporting by James Davey, writing by Sarah Young, editing by Paul Sandle/Reuters