Chapter 23

Survival In Man-Made Hazards

THE NUCLEAR ENVIRONMENT

FOOD PROCUREMENT

23-48. Obtaining edible food in a radiation-contaminated area is a serious but not insurmountable problem. You need to follow a few special procedures in selecting and preparing rations and local foods for use. Since secure packaging protects your combat rations, they will be perfectly safe for use. Supplement your rations with any food you can find on trips outside your shelter.

Abandoned buildings may have stores of processed foods. They are safe for use after decontaminating them. Canned and packaged foods should have containers or wrappers removed or washed free of fallout particles. These processed foods also include food stored in any closed container and food stored in protected areas (such as cellars). All such foods must be washed before eating or handling them.

23-49. If little or no processed food is available in your area, you may have to supplement your diet with local food sources. Animals and plants are local food sources.