Stop the spread of germs. Do not eat food from the same plate or serving utensil (fork or spoon). Use a serving spoon when taking food from a dish that is shared by everyone.
Government may take actions to slow the spread of a pandemic such as closing borders and implementing quarantines. Some people will be too ill to work. This may cause interruption of supply and shortages of food and other supplies. A pandemic may last 1-2 years. The US Government suggests that people accumulate enough food to support themselves for 3-4 months. Buy what you normally eat and be certain to eat the foods you buy before they become old. The documents below can help you plan to store food wisely without wasting money.
Avian Influenza in Poultry and Humans - Food Safety Implications 3 pages
On present evidence, the vast majority of human cases have acquired their infection following direct contact with infected live or dead poultry. WHO is aware of concerns that the virus could also spread to humans through contact with contaminated poultry products. To date, no epidemiological data suggest that the disease can be transmitted to humans through properly cooked food (even if contaminated with the virus prior to cooking).
World Health Organization (WHO)
http://www.who.int/foodsafety/micro/avian/en/index.html available in many languages
Five Keys to Safer Food 1 page *
Each day thousands of people die from preventable foodborne disease. Although food can become contaminated at any point from the farm to where meals are prepared, following simple food hygiene steps can prevent most foodborne disease. Following the five keys not only prevents illness from eating contaminated food but also contributes to the prevention of diseases caused by handling infected animals, such as avian influenza.
World Health Organization (WHO)
http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/consumer/5keys/en/ available in many languages
Food and Water In An Emergency 16 pages *
If an earthquake, hurricane, winter storm, or other disaster strikes your community, you might not have access to food, water, and electricity for days or even weeks. By taking some time now to store emergency food and water supplies, you can provide for your entire family.
Federal Emergancy Management Agency (FEMA) & Red Cross
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/f&web.pdf 16 pages
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/spa_f&web477.pdf Spanish 13 pages
Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency *
Did you know that a flood, fire, national disaster, or the loss of power from high
winds, snow, or ice could jeopardize the safety of your food? Knowing how to determine
if food is safe and how to keep food safe will help minimize the potential loss
of food and reduce the risk of foodborne illness. This fact sheet will help you
make the right decisions for keeping your family safe during an emergency.
US Dept of Agriculture, Food Saftey and Inspection
Service
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/keeping_food_Safe_during_an_emergency/index.asp
Fight Foodborne Bacteria Summary 2 pages *
Clean, Separate,
Cook,
Chill - Refrigerate
1 page each
Partnership For Food Safety Education
spanish language materials available
http://www.fightbac.org/pdf/FightBAC-press-Color.pdf
A Management Plan for Home Food Storage 6 pages
Home food storage has been suggested for use during emergencies or disasters. Management
of food storage will maximize nutritional quality and eliminate waste. This workbook
is intended to provide an easy way to analyze meal planning, food preparation and
storage in the home.
Utah State University Extension
http://extension.usu.edu/files/foodpubs/fn500.pdf
Food Storage In the Home
21 pages
Reducing Waste and Maintaining the Quality of Stored Food.
Utah State University Extension
http://extension.usu.edu/files/foodpubs/fn502.pdf
Food Storage, Rodents and Hantavirus 5 pages
One of the problems in storing food is that it can attract rodents. Rodents have
been identified as carriers of hantavirus; therefore, care needs to be taken when
working in an area that shows signs of rodent infestation.
Utah State University Extension
http://extension.usu.edu/files/foodpubs/foodsaf9.pdf
Food Storage Cooking Schoool 124 pages
What to store, how long things last, keeping and rotating inventory, and a few recipes.
Utah State University Extension
http://extension.usu.edu/files/foodpubs/fn503.pdf
Food Storage and Home Supplies Calculator
Millenium Ark Emergancy Preparedness
by Holly Deyo
http://standeyo.com/News_Files/menu.food.store.html
At the bottom of the spreadsheet enter the number of people and length of time you
want to estimate and all the values will be calculated for you.
Alan Hagan?s Prudent
Food Storage FAQ 125 pages
This Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) file is concerned with those methods and techniques
that have been found generally useful to extending the shelf lives of foods suitable
for use in home food storage programs.
http://athagan.members.atlantic.net/Index.html
Recommended books include...
Apocalypse Chow by Robin Robertson
Emergency Food Storage & Survival Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to
Keep Your Family Safe in a Crisis by Peggy Layton
Everyone's Guide To Food Self-Sufficiency by Walt and Jane Fellows
Gullett
Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew
The Self Sufficient Suburban Garden by Jeff Ball
The Vegetable Gardener's Bible: Discover Ed's High-Yield W-O-R-D System
by Edward C. Smith