Comparison
UK vs USA Emergency Food Supply Guidelines: What Do Governments Recommend?
Both governments say 3 days — but they disagree on water. A side-by-side comparison of the UK Be Ready and US FEMA emergency supply advice.
Key takeaways
- Both the UK (Be Ready) and the US (FEMA / Ready.gov) recommend being self-sufficient for at least 3 days.
- The UK recommends 3 litres of drinking water per person per day; the US recommends 1 gallon (about 3.8 litres) for drinking and sanitation.
- Both favour ordinary non-perishable food your household already eats — no specialist survival food is needed.
- A practical approach is to plan at least 1 gallon / 3.8 litres per person per day, which satisfies both sets of guidance.
Governments on both sides of the Atlantic now ask households to keep a small emergency supply at home. In the UK, that advice comes from the Cabinet Office's Be Ready campaign, launched in October 2026. In the United States, it comes from FEMA through Ready.gov, which has promoted a 72-hour kit for years.
Both agree on the big idea — be able to look after yourself for about three days — but the details differ in useful ways. This guide compares the two side by side and pulls out the lessons that apply to any household, wherever you live.
UK and US official recommendations at a glance
The table below summarises the official UK Be Ready checklist and FEMA's Emergency Supply List.
| United Kingdom (Be Ready) | United States (FEMA / Ready.gov) | |
|---|---|---|
| Lead body | Cabinet Office | Federal Emergency Management Agency |
| Time frame | 3 days | At least 3 days ("several days" on newer pages) |
| Drinking water | 3 litres per person per day | 1 gallon (≈3.8 L) per person per day, incl. sanitation |
| Water for 3 days, 1 person | 9 litres | 3 gallons (≈11.4 L) |
| Food | Non-perishable food for 3 days that doesn't need a fridge or cooking | At least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food |
| Example foods | Tinned meat, fish or vegetables, dried fruit, nuts | Canned meats, fruit and vegetables, protein bars, cereal, peanut butter, dried fruit |
| Radio | Battery or wind-up FM radio | Battery or hand-crank radio plus NOAA Weather Radio |
| Light | Torch and spare batteries | Flashlight and extra batteries |
| Unique items | Blankets and warm clothing, cash, paper phone numbers, Priority Services Register | Whistle, dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, wrench to turn off utilities, local maps |
| Review | Every six months | Replace expired items as needed; self-filled water every six months |
You can read each country's advice in detail in our guides to the UK 72-hour emergency food supply and FEMA's 3-day food and water recommendations.
Differences in water requirements
Water is where the two governments differ most.
- UK: Be Ready recommends 3 litres per person per day for drinking, and notes that more would be needed for cooking and washing.
- US: Ready.gov's water guidance recommends one gallon (about 3.8 litres) per person per day for drinking and sanitation. It explains that an active person needs about three-quarters of a gallon of fluid a day, with the remainder covering hygiene.
So the gap is smaller than it first looks. Both assume roughly 3 litres for drinking; the US figure simply builds in an allowance for washing and sanitation. For three days, one person would store 9 litres under UK guidance or about 11.4 litres under US guidance.
Why the difference? The US list is designed for a wide range of disasters — hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires and extreme heat — where water supplies may be contaminated and hot temperatures can double water needs. The UK campaign focuses on shorter disruptions such as storms, flooding and power cuts, while acknowledging extra water is needed beyond drinking.
Our take: if you have the space, plan for at least 1 gallon (3.8 litres) per person per day. That satisfies both sets of guidance and covers basic hygiene.
Food quantities and recommended products
Neither government sets a calorie target or a precise weight of food. Both define the amount by time — enough for three days — and both stress choosing food your household normally eats.
What they agree on
- Non-perishable, shelf-stable food that needs no refrigeration
- Little or no cooking, because power and gas may be off
- Canned (tinned) protein and vegetables as the backbone of the supply
- Dried fruit and nuts for energy-dense snacks
- A manual can opener
- Familiar foods, which are easier to rotate and more comforting
- Baby food or formula and pet food where needed
Where they differ
- The US list is more specific, naming protein or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola, peanut butter, canned juices, non-perishable pasteurized milk, high-energy foods and comfort foods on Ready.gov's food page.
- US guidance from FoodSafety.gov adds that foods should not be very salty or spicy, because they increase thirst.
- The UK list is shorter and simpler, focused on tinned meat, fish, vegetables, dried fruit and nuts, and explicitly encourages building it gradually through normal shopping to spread the cost.
Emergency kit essentials
Both checklists go well beyond food. Items that appear in both the UK and US guidance:
- Water and non-perishable food for at least 3 days
- A torch / flashlight with spare batteries
- A battery-powered or wind-up/hand-crank radio
- A first aid kit
- Phone charger and power bank / backup battery
- Hygiene supplies — wet wipes or moist towelettes, hand sanitiser
- Essential medication
- Copies of important documents
- Cash
- Baby supplies and pet supplies where relevant
The UK emphasises warmth and community — blankets, sleeping bags, warm clothing, written phone numbers, checking on neighbours, and signing up to the Priority Services Register so utility companies know if you need extra help.
The US emphasises self-rescue and sheltering — a whistle to signal for help, a dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place, a wrench to turn off utilities and local paper maps.
What households can learn from both guidelines
You don't have to choose one country's advice. Combining them gives a stronger, more realistic plan:
- Use the US water figure. Plan 1 gallon / 3.8 litres per person per day, plus extra for pets and hot weather.
- Use the US food list for ideas, the UK approach for budget. Pick from FEMA's specific product list, but buy gradually during normal shopping, as Be Ready suggests.
- Add warmth. Even in mild climates, blankets and warm layers matter if the power is off for days.
- Add the US safety extras. A whistle, dust masks and a wrench cost little and cover scenarios the UK list doesn't.
- Write things down. Both countries recommend paper copies of phone numbers and documents for when phones are dead.
- Check twice a year. The UK's six-month review rhythm is a simple habit that keeps food in date. Our emergency food storage guide shows how to rotate stock with the FIFO method.
- Eat what you store. Both governments say to choose familiar foods. See our list of 25 long-lasting emergency foods for ideas that fit everyday meals.
Build your kit with confidence
Whether you follow UK, US or combined guidance, the challenge is the same: knowing what you have and keeping it in date. SupplyTrack AI gives you a clear 72-hour checklist, tracks every item and expiry date, and reminds you before anything goes out of date. Create your free account to get started.
Frequently asked questions
Do the UK and US recommend the same amount of food?
Yes, in principle. Both recommend at least 3 days of non-perishable food per person but neither sets a calorie or weight target.
Which country recommends more water?
The US. FEMA recommends 1 gallon (about 3.8 litres) per person per day for drinking and sanitation, while the UK recommends 3 litres per person per day for drinking only, with more for cooking and washing.
What's the best amount of water to store?
Planning at least 1 gallon (3.8 litres) per person per day for 3 days meets both sets of official guidance. Store more for pets, hot weather, illness or breastfeeding.
Does either country recommend buying survival food?
No. Both focus on ordinary supermarket food, and US food-safety guidance explicitly says special emergency food isn't necessary.
Sources
- UK Government, Be ready for emergencies
- Cabinet Office, Households encouraged to take small, simple steps to stay prepared in an emergency, 22 October 2026
- FEMA, Build A Kit, Food and Water, Ready.gov
- FEMA, Emergency Supply List (PDF)
- Food Safety in a Disaster or Emergency, FoodSafety.gov
This article compares public guidance for general information. Always follow instructions from emergency services and local authorities where you live.