Food expert urges everyone in UK to create 15-item emergency food supply kit to keep at home - list

Food expert urges everyone in UK to create 15-item emergency food supply kit to keep at home - list Nutritional experts have give a list of 15 foods people should ‘buy now’ to prepare for emergencies Have you got these items in your cupboards? Nutritional experts have give a list of 15 foods people should ‘buy now’ to prepare for emergencies. The government has issued instructions for homes in the UK to be ready for serious problems. Just this week a cyber attack has hit supermarket fridges - meaning tonnes of food has been spoiled. The UK has had to face heatwaves, flooding and the potential for attacks from a foreign power. Its “Be Ready” campaign warns that severe weather and cyber attacks could disrupt essential services, and British households need to make sure they have what they need to get through a rocky few days. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said unexpected events “seem to becoming more common” and everyone should have “those supplies in the house to get you through those moments”. UK has been described as “light years” behind our neighbours when it comes to preparing for major disruption. One of the key parts of the advice is to stockpile food - but many households have been wondering what exactly to get in. Official advice from the government is to get bottled water for 3 days. This means 3 litres per person per day for drinking. More would be needed for other tasks such as cooking and washing. For food it’s non perishable items for 3 days - food with a long shelf life that doesn’t need refrigeration or cooking e.g. tinned meat, fish or vegetables, dried fruit and nuts. It’s best to buy food you’d usually eat. The BBC Good Food Guide Beans Beans like baked are advised - also cooked chickpeas, peas and lentils. Packs of rice and grains The expert said most rice brands sell packs of cooked rice. Tinned fish and seafood Suggestions include sardines, mackerel and tuna. Also possibly trout, pollack, cockles and whelks from Sea Sisters. Pickles and olives Cornichons, gherkins, pickled cauliflower and carrot, sauerkraut, kimchi, onions - likely to make a plate of food more perky and appealing. Advised to make sure it doesn’t need refrigerating after opening – though you’re probably good for a couple of days if it’s cool. Condiments Mustard, chilli oil and chilli crisp, ketchup, soy sauce, flavoured oils. Go easy on anything salty that will make you thirsty. Meze style dishes in tins on a supermarket shelf Stuffed vine leaves, baba ganoush, gigantes beans. Tinned and jarred veg From white asparagus, artichoke hearts and mushrooms to red peppers, bamboo shoots and peas. Tinned, jarred and dried fruit Tinned (canned), jarred, and dried fruits offer valuable nutrients and count toward your 5 A Day, often matching or complementing the benefits of fresh produce. Cereal and long-life milk The BBC said: “Buy smaller cartons of milk to open for each meal. It goes without saying that some cereals are better for you than others; you could always stock some fun stuff to use as a sprinkle. Granolas and mueslis heavy in nuts, seeds, dried fruit and grains would fill you up well. Tins of evaporated milk that you can let down with water might also be an option, if you like it.” Peanut butter and jam “Peanut butter (and other nut butters) was a strong choice from most people we asked, though obviously not if anyone in the house has a nut allergy. PB&Js are popular. Ollie reckons you could do three days on peanut butter and banana sandwiches, if necessary (he has festival experience).” Chocolate For morale Bread, wraps and oat cakes, etc Bread doesn’t last long. Wraps have a very long life if you seal the pack. Oat cakes are good as a ballast with most of the tins and jars mentioned above. Tinned meat Fish is better and, in most cases, less salty and contains fewer preservatives, ‘but if you don’t like it, think about canned meat that tastes good cold’. Condensed milk ‘For treats and desperate times.’ Cheese Hard cheese will keep for a while if it’s cool.