# 1347
For nearly 2 years, the United States Department of Health and Human Services has been promoting the idea that every household should have 2-weeks worth of food stockpiled for emergencies, such as a pandemic.
Many of us in the flu community have argued that 2-weeks would be insufficient in a severe pandemic, and that 30 days, 60 days, or even 90 days worth of supplies would be more prudent.
This was a major focus of the comments made during the 2007 Pandemic Leadership Blog.
Today, we learn that a study conducted in Australia, and printed in the Medical Journal of Australia, advocates that residents of that nation consider stockpiling at least 3-months worth of food in anticipation of a flu pandemic.
What once was considered a radical idea is now becoming mainstream.
The question is: Will anyone listen?
A hat tip to Pixie on Flu Wiki for posting this article
Thursday, 13 December 2007
Sydney researchers have produced useful food and nutrition guidelines for survival rations to be used in the event of a pandemic such as influenza, which appear in the Medical Journal of Australia.
Human nutrition expert Professor Jennie Brand-Miller from University's School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences says that Australia could be particularly susceptible to the food shortages brought on by a pandemic.In the article she argues that this is due to the fact that we have one of the most concentrated food supplies of any country, being dominated by two large supermarket chains.
"The problem is that these organisations operated with such efficiency that their logistic chains hold only a few week's supplies," says Professor Brand-Miller. "If the supply chain shuts down, or if there is no delivery from central stores, supermarkets' stocks will be depleted within 2-4 weeks."
The team of Sydney researches led by Professor brand Miller along with a colleague from Oslo in Norway, have identified which foods should be stockpiled and in what quantities.
"While long-term food stockpiling could be considered a governmental responsibility, we suggest that home stockpiling of food to at least three months might be done by individual households," said Professor Brand-Miller.
"It is logical that the foods to be stockpiled should be staples and well accepted," she says. "Importantly, they should be nutrient-dense, providing the recommended macronutrients and micronutrients for all members of the family."
Note: The original story appeared on the University of Sydney's Website.
