Food · 1 hour · Basic
Emergency Food for Allergies and Special Diets
Make sure every household member has safe, usable food instead of discovering unsuitable ingredients during a shortage.
This is for educational purposes only. Not professional medical, electrical, or safety advice.
Warning
Severe allergies and infant feeding need an individualized plan. Generic emergency meals may not be safe or suitable.
- 01
List individual needs
Record allergies, medical diets and infant-feeding needs before choosing foods. Ask the relevant clinician about an emergency plan for medically required diets; a standard ration box may not be suitable.
- 02
Read every ingredient list
In the U.S., the nine major food allergens are milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame. Other foods can also cause allergies. Read ingredients even if there is no separate Contains statement.
- 03
Keep labels with food
Save ingredient and preparation information when repacking food. Recheck replacement purchases because formulations can change. Unlabeled donated or repacked food may not be safe for someone with a serious allergy.
- 04
Avoid cross-contact
Separate allergen-containing supplies and use clean utensils and preparation surfaces. Do not share scoops between products. Absence of a may-contain warning is not proof that a product is suitable.
- 05
Test the complete plan
Check that each person has meals, safe water and necessary preparation tools. Follow infant formula preparation instructions and use-by dates; do not dilute formula to extend supplies or improvise homemade formula.