With wars and tensions continuing around the world, being prepared for an emergency is something many of us have probably thought about more in recent years. And it appears plenty of households could be caught short if something like World War 3 suddenly disrupted the food and water we normally take for granted.
A UK Government survey published in 2026 found just 60% of people said they had enough non-perishable food that didn't need cooking to last their household around three days.
What to stockpile
You don't need to fill an entire room with tins, however. Government and emergency advice focuses on having enough essentials to get through the first few days of a crisis. There are certain foods which are particularly useful because they last for months or even years and, in many cases, can be eaten without electricity or gas.
But before thinking about food, there is something even more important to have at home - water. Government guidance says a minimum of 2.5 to three litres of drinking water per person each day is recommended for survival. Around 10 litres per person per day would also cover basic cooking and hygiene needs. Yet the same 2026 survey found just 4% of people had enough bottled water at home to provide three litres per person per day for three days.
Once you've got water covered, you can start thinking about food. Here are 10 of the best things to keep tucked away if World War 3 breaks out.
Tinned meat, fish, and beans
Shelf-stable tinned tuna, chicken, ham and other canned meat and fish are useful because they provide protein and can often be eaten straight from the tin. That could become particularly important during a lengthy power cut when cooking isn't an option.
The UK Government specifically recommends ready-to-eat tinned meat as part of an emergency food supply. Many unopened low-acid canned foods, including meat, fish and poultry, can be stored for around two to five years if kept properly.
A few tins of beans can go a long way during an emergency. They provide protein and fibre, are filling and don't necessarily need to be heated before you eat them. Canned beans are another low-acid food and can generally be stored for around two to five years.
Tinned vegetables and fruit
Fresh vegetables aren't going to last particularly long if shops are closed or your fridge stops working. Tinned vegetables are a much easier option to keep tucked away for an emergency and are specifically mentioned in UK Government preparedness advice. Many canned vegetables can be stored for around two to five years.
Fruit is another thing that can quickly disappear from the kitchen if you can't get to the shops. Tinned fruit can be eaten straight from the can and provides carbohydrates as well as some welcome sweetness during a crisis. Many canned fruits are high-acid foods and can typically be stored for around 12 to 18 months.
Peanut butter
Peanut butter packs a lot into a relatively small jar. It provides calories, protein and fat, doesn't need cooking and can be eaten on its own if there is nothing else available. How long an unopened jar will keep depends on the product, so check the best-before date and storage instructions on the label.
