Guide · Food

Storing emergency food

A good food store means you can stay at home safely during storms, illness or disruption. The aim is to keep food you will actually eat, stored so it lasts.

What to store

Choose food that keeps well, needs little or no cooking and that your household likes.

• Tinned meat, fish, beans, vegetables, soup and fruit.
• Dried pasta, rice, oats, lentils and noodles.
• Crackers, crispbreads and long-life bread.
• Peanut butter, nuts, dried fruit and cereal bars.
• Long-life milk, powdered milk and fruit juice.
• Salt, sugar, oil, honey, stock cubes and spices.
• Any special foods for babies, people with allergies or medical diets, and pets.

Don't forget a manual tin opener.

Where to store it

• Cool: heat shortens shelf life. Keep away from ovens, boilers and sunny windows.
• Dry: damp causes mould and rust. Store off the floor.
• Dark: light breaks down vitamins and fats.
• Sealed: use airtight plastic tubs or jars to keep out insects, mice and moisture.

Rotate your stock

1. Write the date on everything you buy.
2. Put new items at the back and move older ones to the front.
3. Use and replace food regularly so nothing goes out of date.

"Best before" dates are about quality. Food is often fine to eat after them if it looks, smells and has been stored well. "Use by" dates are about safety: don't eat food after these.

Check your tins

Throw away tins that are:

• Bulging or swollen.
• Leaking or spurting when opened.
• Badly dented, especially on the seams or rim.
• Rusty enough that the metal is weakened.

These can be a sign of dangerous germs.

Water

Store water as well. Plan for about 3 litres per person per day for drinking, plus extra for cooking and washing. Use clean, sealed bottles and replace stored tap water every six months or so.

How much to keep

Start with enough for 3 days, then build up towards 2 weeks if you have space. See the guide on how much food you need.

Once opened

Move leftovers from tins into a clean, covered container. Without a fridge, open small tins and eat them in one sitting.

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