Is toilet paper affected by the port strike? Here's what you should know before you panic.

As the port strike continues into its third day, some consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about whether there could be a shortage of toilet paper, prompting some to pull stocks of the product from shelves. However, experts say there is no reason to worry about a toilet paper shortage since most of it is made in the United States

Some consumers posted pictures of empty shelves at major retailers on Thursday, while others noted shoppers were stuffing their shopping carts with toilet paper rolls. To some, the images suggest a repeat of the pandemic's impact in 2020, when supply chain problems caused by the health emergency led to actual shortages of toilet paper and other products.

“Guys…toilet paper hoarding in 2020 just made a comeback!” wrote one shopper on X, the former Twitter. “Two Kirkland Costcos were sold out. Everyone in line had 2 packages and one had 8!! Seriously guys, please don’t do this again…”

However, experts say that the situation with the dock workers' strike is different 14 ports switched off along the East and Gulf Coasts since Tuesday. The labor dispute likely won't impact toilet paper or many other supermarket products like meat and breakfast cereal because they are mostly produced domestically, Jason Miller, a professor at Michigan State University, told CBS News.

“It's just very important here that people understand that this is a completely different situation than a global pandemic, which we didn't know what was coming four and a half years ago,” says Miller, a supply chain expert. said. “There is no reason to panic about this port strike. You know, everything will be okay.”

About 85% of demand for U.S. tissue paper, including toilet paper, paper towels, napkins and facial tissue, is met by U.S. tissue manufacturers, according to a statement from the American Forest & Paper Association, a trade group for the paper and wood products industry.

“The American Forest & Paper Association is aware of reports of toilet paper shortages, which some attribute to the current port strike,” Heidi Brock, the group's CEO, said in a statement emailed to CBS MoneyWatch.

She added: “As we continue to push for this [International Longshoremen’s Association] and USMX to quickly end this strike to restore our members’ access to export their products, we want to emphasize that we are not aware of any expected impact on the supply of tissue products in the United States.”

Could stores impose limits on toilet paper?

Ironically, panic buying or hoarding could lead to shortages of toilet paper or other products, even though the risk of shortages due to the port strike is low, Miller said.

“I do think that retailers will take action again very quickly,” noted Miller. “It would be very useful if some of the major retailers spoke out publicly on this issue. Walmart, Target and Costco would come forward and say, 'There's enough supply, we're setting limits here, stop it.' do it.'”

Walmart, Target, Kroger and Publix did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Kimberly-Clark, maker of Cottonelle and Scott brand products, said the port strike “has no impact at this time on our ability to deliver our paper products or other products.”

Which items are affected by the port strike?

That doesn't mean some items won't be affected by the work stoppage, especially if it extends over weeks rather than days. More than 100 food categoriesincluding bananas and chocolate, are reliant on now-closed operations, while drinks such as imported beer and wine are also at risk of shortages if the strike continues.

For example, it could become more expensive to buy or even find bananas on the East Coast. Imported wine could also become scarce, although there will still be plenty of wine on shelves since the US is a large producer.

“If you're on the East Coast or Gulf Coast, I would say enjoy bananas while you can get them. Because that's a situation where if this strike lasts three weeks, it's going to be a lot harder and/or a lot more expensive to get them.” Bananas,” Miller noted.

Still, much of what is consumed in the U.S. is produced domestically, he added.

“Although there is a narrative that we don’t make anything in the United States, we actually make a tremendous amount of goods,” Miller said. “And especially the stuff in the supermarket, we make that here, the soap and detergent you use is made here in the United States. Now you don't have to buy a year's supply because you think they come from Europe.” “

contributed to this report.