The bakery chain Greggs has extended the closure of eleven establishments in the United Kingdom due to the red alert for extreme heat. Three of these stores are in the West Midlands. The measure aims to protect both customers and employees from the high temperatures affecting southern England, while the rest of the country remains on orange alert. For citizens, this means fewer fast-food outlets in the areas most affected by the heat.
Extreme heat as a stress test for food logistics 🌡️
This massive closure reveals the fragility of supply chains in the face of adverse weather events. Refrigeration systems and the transport of perishable products, such as Greggs' pastries, require stable conditions. When temperatures exceed 35 degrees, air conditioning units in small stores cannot cope. This forces companies to review their contingency protocols, prioritizing safety over sales. Thermal monitoring technology and early warning systems become essential to avoid losses and health risks.
When even a sausage roll asks for shade 🥟
It seems that not even the famous Greggs sausage rolls can withstand this heat. The chain, known for its baked goods, has had to surrender to an enemy more powerful than office hunger: the sun. Now, Britons will have to make do with cold supermarket sandwiches, because even the puff pastry has said enough. Who would have thought it, in a country where complaining about the rain is the norm, now the problem is that the pastries melt before reaching the counter.