Keep a practical meal in reserve.

Choose food you already know how to prepare and enjoy eating. A useful reserve includes variety and takes account of allergies, dietary needs, medicines and any food needed for children or pets.

Follow current advice from your local authorities when planning an emergency kit. Their guidance covers more than food.

Steady is mixed with water and does not need cooking. Keep the preparation equipment with your supplies, and remember that the water needed for a shake is additional to any other water you need.

A powder is only convenient when you have safe water and a clean way to prepare it. Include foods that can be eaten without preparation as well.

Check

Read the storage instructions and best-before date on each product.

Rotate

Use older stock first and replace what you consume.

Store

Keep products in the conditions described on their packaging, with the supplies easy to find.

Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product. Use the label on the bag for serving and storage details; do not rely on a general page to decide whether a particular bag is safe to eat.