Investment guru Jim Cramer said savvy investors should take the recent stock-market plunge to start buying stocks in consumer goods “we can’t live without.”

The “Mad Money” host said on CNBC that defensive stocks can outperform the broader market during an economic downturn because there is constant demand for their products.

“Check out your medicine cabinet, check your refrigerator, look at your pantry,” Cramer said, noting that nearly any product that can be found in the supermarket would qualify.

He cited examples as Conagra Brands (CAG), J M Smucker (SJM) and Clorox (CLX).

“We should buy quality recession-proof stocks because that’s what works when the economy’s on hiatus,” Cramer said.

 “There are many industries that are truly on the ropes here and I expect them to remain on the ropes for a long time, unless they fall flat on the canvas,” he said.

Earlier Monday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC that “there will be a huge amount of pent-up demand” for stocks when the threat of the coronavirus is contained.

“There will be a huge amount of pent-up demand when this is done. And it will be done,” Mnuchin said.

“Look for companies that have a ton of liquidity. An Apple will have customers,” he continued. “That’s just a given. The goal is not to bail out companies.”

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