Two tins of food rations, powdered egg (Caravan brand) and powdered milk (Nura brand), for civilian use, USA, 1939-1945

During the Second World War, sugar, meat, butter, cheese, eggs, milk, tea and chocolate were in such short supply in Britain that they were eventually rationed. Powdered foods such as milk and eggs were one way to supplement supplies without resorting to the illegal ‘black market’.

These two tins were among the huge amounts of food and other commodities supplied by the United States during the course of the war. They were transported by merchant ships, which had to negotiate the perils of German submarines in their journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

The control placed on supplies saw diets, especially children’s, improve as food was shared more equally by rationing, although the ‘black market’ still flourished.