Overview

• Rainer outlined a plan to add items like canned ravioli and lentils to federal reserves so food can be consumed after simple warming in a crisis.
• He made the proposal on POLITICO’s Berlin Playbook Podcast, framing it as part of strengthening civilian resilience in light of current security risks.
• Germany’s existing federal stocks, created in the 1960s, mostly consist of grain, lentils, and canned milk that require preparation before eating.
• The minister wants major food retailers and manufacturers involved because they control supply chains and have warehouse capacity.
• Officials expect a lengthy transition with budget and logistics still to be decided, while the German Red Cross urges far greater investment in population protection, citing a need for about €2.5 billion annually.