Panic Buying Sparks Mysterious Shortages in Supermarkets as Brits Rush to Build 3-Day Survival Kits
So, apparently, the UK government has just dropped its ‘Be Ready’ campaign—a three-year nudge for us all to stash away some emergency supplies in case the weather turns nasty enough to knock out power, water, or the internet. Now, before you start imagining a full-on Black Mirror scenario (I know I did), it’s really about catching up with our European pals like France and Ireland on preparedness. But here’s the kicker: folks have sprinted to supermarkets with such pandemic-level zeal that shelves are already looking a bit bare—especially on tinned goodies and bottled water. Ever wonder if your pantry is ready to handle a three-day survival stint? Spoiler: that six-pack of baked beans might disappear faster than you think. Ready or not, it seems the great British stock-up is well underway…
Several UK supermarkets are reporting temporary shortages of several items following the government’s announcement of its ‘Be Ready’ campaign.
Last week, the UK government ‘encouraged’ households to ‘take small, simple steps to stay prepared in an emergency’.
Now, before your mind goes completely Black Mirror on you, the Cabinet Office’s advice focused on people being ‘better prepared for events such a severe weather, which can occasionally affect services like power, water, and the internet’.
Essentially, it was to catch the UK’s ‘preparedness’ up with European peers such as France and Ireland.
It’s part of a three-year campaign – titled ‘Be Ready’ – to ensure households can support themselves through periods of more severe weather, ensuring they have adequate supplies of non-perishable food and bottled water should they be left unable to access them.
And some households have wasted no time getting prepared, taking to supermarkets with pandemic level tenacity just days after the announcement.
So much so, some supermarkets are already reporting shortages of several non-perishable food items.
Tinned food has been flying off the shelves (Justin TALLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
Which supermarkets are reporting shortages
Waitrose regulars have clearly been quick off the mark to listen to the government’s advice, with Ocado shoppers having reported finding a shortage of various products able to purchase on the online grocery service.
Tesco and Sainsbury’s are also reported by supermarket goers as facing empty shelves similar to the pandemic.
But which items have proven so needed for those as they anticipate potentially needing supplies for three days?
Supermarket products facing shortages
Unsurprisingly, the beloved baked bean has been flying off the shelves, The Sun reporting Ocado users have not only been flocking to order Heinz but Baxter soups too.
Volvic, Highland Spring and Brecon Carreg bottles of water have also been quick to deplete.
An Ocado spokesperson confirmed to The Times it’s seen ‘an increase in demand for some products over the weekend’.
Fear not however, because it’s ‘working with supply-chain partners to increase availability as soon as possible’.
Tesco saw tinned tuna whipped from the shelves, and a Sainsbury’s in Cambridge was pictured with far fewer cartons of long life milk.
Tinned products and water have been whisked from the shelves of Iceland too, the supermarket reporting as much as a ’40 percent increase’ in sales of the products over the weekend.
But how much do you actually need to stock up on?
Don’t forget the water (Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images))
How much you need to stock up on in your ‘survival kit’
The government recommends stocking up on enough non-perishable food and drink items to last you a total of three days.
In terms of water, each person needs three litres per day for drinking, so that’s nine litres per person in total.
If you need extra for cooking and washing, factor that in too.
Food-wise, you want to go for tinned meat, fish, vegetables and fruit, alongside dried nuts and fruit – essentially anything which has a long shelf life.
Don’t forget about your baby formula or pet food too.
If the electricity and gas cuts out, you’ll probably want to ensure you’ve got enough warm clothing, blankets, sleeping bags and batteries for any torches, lamps, or matches for candles too.
Any medical and hygiene products you may need across three days as well, instructions for them written down, rather than only online.
Essentially, prepare as if you’re about to do your Duke of Edinburgh award but from the comfort of your own home and you should be fine. Knew that would come in handy one day eh?
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