Ensure your cupboard isn’t bare during a quarantine - 28 May 2009

Australians should assess the amount of food and essential household items available in their pantries in the wake of quarantines being imposed for people diagnosed with swine flu, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) warned today.

AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said the current quarantine measures imposed in Australia for swine flu served as a timely reminder for all families to assess their pantries and adjust their household supplies accordingly.

“Quarantines from health problems like swine flu can strike overnight so families need to ensure they are properly prepared by accessing the Pantry List website,” Ms Carnell said.

Australia’s food and grocery industry has developed a comprehensive resource called the Pantry List, to help families prepare for potential emergencies.  Further information is available at www.pantrylist.com.au

 “The majority (95 per cent) of Australian households keep 3 to 5 days of food and grocery supplies in their pantries but Australian households can help themselves manage the potential of being quarantined by increasing their self reliance and maintaining a household pantry with essential items,” Ms Carnell said.

“By accessing the pantry list as a guide, it will help families prepare for an emergency or quarantine period – it’s the smart thing to do.”

Over the past three years, the Australian food and grocery industry and a planning team under RAWG (Retail Industry Working Group) – whose membership includes AFGC’s major suppliers, major retailers and government – has been working to prepare for the impact that any crisis might have on the supply of essential food and grocery items to Australians.

Under the broader RAWG food distribution strategy, Ms Carnell highlighted a range of measures including:

• The implementation of operational plans on how to safely keep supermarkets open and how to continue to ensure customer and staff safety,
• A food distribution plan to coordinate, with the food and grocery industry, in case of any future shortage in supply to ensure a “fair and orderly distribution” of essential food and grocery items across Australia.

“The Australian food distribution plan is unprecedented in the world and represents a concerted effort by Australia’s retailers and manufacturers to ensure the maintenance of essential foods and household items,” Ms Carnell said.

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For more information contact:  AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell on 0415 662 266