Rationing was introduced into Britain at the tale end of World War One - in February 1918. Rationing was introduced in response to an effective U-boat campaign and during World War One, the Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) was used to ensure that food shortages never occurred. Rationing only existed for six months but prior to that, the public were encouraged to exercise frugality in the buying and preparation of food in a government sponsored 'food control' scheme.