Australia’s Food Industry Working Group has launched a national plan to ensure people can find food and essential supplies in the event of an emergency or public health issue.

Part of the plan includes essential advice on how to keep food fresh and safe when power and other essential services are not available.

In co-operation with the Australian Government and the state and territory governments, supermarket retailers and the food sector, the group has published a Pantry List – literally a list of essential items necessary for coping with an emergency – together with advice on how to prepare and deal with an emergency and be self-sufficient for long periods of confinement.

Recent events, such as Cyclone Larry, have shown that average households do not have more than three days worth of essential food and other items to cope with an emergency.

While most emergencies will only extend over a few days, the Pantry List plans for a 14 day stay at home (possibly without water or electricity) by advising people how to build and rotate critical items in their pantries to ensure they remain fresh if they cannot get to shops.

Attorney-General Robert McClelland said that although Australia has a first class emergency management system, the simple fact is that any emergency puts strain on the system.

“The more individuals can do to be prepared, the better the emergency services and emergency management volunteers can direct their resources to where they’re needed most,” he said.

Food Industry Working Group spokesman and National Technical Services Manager for Metcash, Mr Steven Newton, said research shows that households do not have enough food or other essential supplies in their pantries in the event of a natural or man made disaster.

“The Pantry List gives consumers for the first time a detailed guide to items to give them a high degree of confidence and security by helping them be more independent during the crisis,” Mr Stevens said.

He added that the list will also reduce the chaos and pressure at retailer outlets and their supply chains if an emergency does occur.

Visit Emergency Pantry List

Source: Food Standards News, No 64, Autumn 2008