Understanding What are MREs
An MRE or Meals Ready to Eat are the main food ration of the Armed Forces, especially in the United States. According to the US Army, it originated from k-rations and c-rations used during World War II. They also used MRE during the Korean and Vietnam war in the 1980s, and they still use it today. According to the US Army, the idea of MREs can be traced back to the government's need to feed the entire battalion of an army during war times. They are being deployed in areas with minimal or no food at all. They might die of famine and not of the wounds during the battle. The responsibility lies with the authorities. Thus they devised a plan to address this problem. The government researched techniques that could feed armies with good food and complete nutrients. Together with scientists and nutritionists, they processed raw food and made it practical in the field. These packs of food are ready to eat, it is lightweight and can last for many years. In the long run, several companies began producing MREs for civilians, which can be distributed during disasters. Although it has been questioned by officials since the contents are specially made for the armies, the welfare of the people outweighs the controversy on the use of emergency food packs.What is the shelf life of an MRE?
MRE has shelf-stable, ready-to-eat meals and elements that are appetizing in the field when packaged in the factory. Ensure that the MRE followed USDA established standards for commercially sterile, moisture, and oxygen-controlled food products. The method is best for preserving packaged foods. All MRE ENTREE pouches are heat processed to kill bacteria and inactivate chemicals. The heating process keeps any microbes from getting in, and since the food pouch is sterile, it doesn't spoil. Other components (bakery and other snack items) of the package are engineered and packaged in sealed, multilayered packaging material to prevent the food products from excessive exposure to moisture and oxygen, thus ensuring an extended shelf life. The above information allows MRE to give a shelf life of three years 80°F (27°C), or for six months at 100°F (38°C). Ideal storage condition is essential to stand behind the guaranteed shelf life and may last up to five years.Can you freeze an MRE pouch?
Freezing an MRE retort pouch will not spoil the food inside, yet frequent freezing increases the possibility that the pouch layer will flop. The pouches are designed to withstand 1,000 flexes, yet frequent freezing builds the failure rate by a bit of a part of a percent.What is inside a typical MRE meal kit?
Every complete MRE kit offers balanced nourishment with a large number of food components. Compositions go from 500 to 3000+ calories per meal. MRE components include entree and side dishes, bread variants, snacks, sweets, drinks, and other piece control packs. Most MREs come stuffed in 6 or 12 meals to a case.What do MREs taste like?
Taste is very subjective, and depending upon whom you talk with, you will get various answers. Very much like canned goods, you either like them, or you don't. Many individuals feel that MREs are comparable if worse than canned food. MREs are beneficial, and some individuals appreciate them enough to eat them consistently when they need a quick meal for lunch or dinner. MREs are intended to be home-style cooked meals. They are designed to last. Home-cooked meals will not last over seven days, MREs will mostly last for five years or more, and they are decently acceptable.Are MREs dehydrated or freeze-dried?
No, MRE's are entirely different. Unlike dehydrated or freeze-dried food, which both need water to restore them, MRE's are precooked "in the pouch" and preserve their full moisture like canned food items, just with a significantly longer shelf-life.What's in an MRE

- Entree: This is the main course of MRE. Examples of this are pasta and meat stew.
- Side dish: It contains various choices such as corn, rice, fruit, or mashed potatoes, and others.
- Spread: Like cheese spread, jelly, or peanut butter
- Bread or crackers
- Dessert: Cakes, cookies, or any sweet pastries
- Candies
- Seasoning: Hot sauce
- Flameless Ration Heater
- Beverages: Coffee, milk, chocolate, or tea
- Accessories: Creamer, salt, pepper, sugar, spoon, and tissue
Difference between Civilian and Military MRE
Civilian MREs

Menus and Accessories of Civilian MRE
Some civilian MREs contain similar contents in comparison with military MREs. It has sides, entrees, desserts, and crackers, just like the military MREs. However, the spread and the dessert can be different. Civilian MREs also include a spoon and napkin similar to what the army uses. On the other hand, some packages don't include a flameless heater to heat the meal. The Soprano Sure-Pak, a civilian MRE, includes 12 individual meals of 6 different menus. The example is as follows:Menu 1 (1,230 calories)
- Chicken Pesto Pasta-420 calories
- Crackers-180 calories
- Clam Chowder-150 calories
- Grape Jelly-70 calories
- Oatmeal Cookie-280 calories
- Lemon-Lime Beverage Base-130 calories
- Instant Coffee-0 calorie
Menu 2 (1,070 calories)
- Refried Beans-180 calories
- Veggie Burger in BBQ Sauce-260 calories
- Raspberry White Chip Cookie-250 calories
- Crackers-180 calories
- Apple Jelly-70 calories
- Lemon-Lime Beverage Base-130 calories
- Coffee-o calorie
Menu 3-(970 calories)
- Chicken with Salsa-160 calories
- Grape Jelly-70 calories
- Crackers-180 calories
- Clam Chowder-150 calories
- Cookies with Pan Coated Chocolate Disks-280 calories
- Lemon-Lime Beverage Base-130 calories
- Instant Coffee-o calorie
Menu 4-(980 calories)
- Apple Maple Oatmeal-200 calories
- Grape Jelly-70 calories
- Crackers-180 calories
- Apple Pieces in Spiced Sauce-150 calories
- Raspberry White Chip Cookie-250 calories
- Tropical Punch Beverage Base-130 calories
- Instant Coffee-o calorie
Menu 5-(1,010 calories)
- Chili and Macaroni-240 calories
- Raspberry Applesauce-110 calories
- Grape Jelly-70 calories
- Crackers-180 calories
- Oatmeal Cookie-280 calories
- Tropical Punch Beverage Base-130 calories
- Instant Coffee-o calorie
Menu 6-(1,090 calories)
- Maple Sausage-240 calories
- Hash Browns with Bacon-220 calories
- Grape Jelly-70 calories
- Crackers-180 calories
- Raspberry White Chip Cookie-250 calories
- Tropical Punch Beverage Base-130 calories
- Instant Coffee-o calorie
Military MREs

Menus and Accessories of Military MRE
Here are some of the sample menus of the Military MREs according to MRE Info. This is based on the 2016 menu. They also have a menu from 1985 to 2016.Menu 1
Chili with beans, cornbread, crackers, cheddar cheese spread, cheese snack, and carbohydrate fortified drink.Menu 2
Chicken with vegetables and egg noodles, wet pack fruits, jelly and jam, peanut butter, crackers, candy, hot sauce, and carbohydrate fortified drink.Menu 3
Spaghetti with beef and sauce, toasted bread, peanut butter, multigrain bread, dried fruits, cocoa drink, and jelly and jam.Menu 4
Barbecue beef shredded, jalapeno cheddar cheese spread, seasoned black beans, trans-fat-free tortillas, dried fruits, barbecue sauce, and carbohydrate fortified drink.Menu 5
Taco beef, wet pack fruits, trans-fat free tortillas, cheddar cheese spread, a chocolate disc with nuts and raisins, blend spice for seasoning, and carbohydrate fortified drink.Menu 6
Trans-fat-free bar, chicken chunks, beef snacks, cheddar cheese spread, trans-fat-free tortilla, candy, hot sauce buffalo style, and carbohydrate fortified drink.Menu 7
Meatball with Marinara sauce, mashed potatoes with garlic, jalapeno cheddar cheese spread, trans-fat-free cookies, trans-fat-free Italian breadsticks, and carbohydrate fortified drink.Menu 8
Brisket Entree, trans-fat free cookies, trans-fat free bread for snacks, au gratin potatoes, peanut butter, jelly and jam, candy and Irish cream Cappuccino drink mix.Menu 9
Chili and Macaroni, Jalapeno cheddar cheese spread, trans-fat free crackers, trans-fat free pound cake, beef snacks, candy, pepper spice crushed, and carbohydrate fortified drink.Menu 10
Beef stew, peanut butter, brownie fudge, trans-fat free multigrain bread for snack, jelly and jam pretzels, hot sauce, and carbohydrate fortified drink.Menu 11
Pork sausage patty with maple syrup, trans-fat free maple muffin top, trans-fat free crackers, peanut butter, table syrup, nuts, and carbohydrate fortified drink.Menu 12 (Vegetarian Menu)
Veggie crumbles with pasta in taco style sauce, trans-fat free bar, wet pack fruits, peanut butter, trans-fat free crackers, nuts, chili lime hot sauce, and French Vanilla Cappuccino drink mix.Menu 13 (Vegetarian Menu)
Cheese Tortellini in Tomato Sauce, Peanut Butter, Dessert Powder, Trans-fat free crackers, raisins, nuts, hot sauce, and beverage powder with carbohydrate-electrolyteMenu 14 (Vegetarian Menu)
Elbow macaroni with tomato sauce, trans-fat-free bread snack, cheese spread, raisins, nuts, candy, hot sauce, and chocolate protein drink.Menu 15 (Vegetarian Menu)
Trans-fat-free bar, spinach mushrooms, and fettuccine with cream sauce, peanut butter, trans-fat-free crackers, pretzels, hot sauce, and chocolate protein drink.Nutritional Value of MREs

MREs Nutrition Fact Sheet
Increased needs during field training:
- Most soldiers’ nutrition needs are increased during deployment due to increased activity during work (Ie: setting up tents), carrying extra equipment, and temperature changes.
- Eating (at least) three meals per day will supply you with adequate energy (Table 2)
- Proper hydration is also important, as temperatures and workload increase so do fluid needs. (Table 1)
Hydration:
Symptoms of dehydration: fatigue, confusion, headache, lightheadedness, dry mouth, decreased appetite, dark urine, infrequent urination TABLE 1: BASIC FLUID NEEDS BASING ON ACTIVITY LEVEL (FM 21-10)Easy Work* | Moderate Work** | Hard Work*** | ||
Heat Category | WBGT Index Degrees F | Water Intake Qt/hr | Water Intake Qt/hr | Water Intake Qt/hr |
1 | 78 – 81.9 | ½ | ¾ | ¾ |
2 (Green) | 82 – 84.9 | ½ | ¾ | 1 |
3 (Yellow) | 85 – 87.9 | ¾ | ¾ | 1 |
4 (Red) | 88 – 89.9 | ¾ | ¾ | 1 |
5 (Black) | > 90 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Tips to increase fluids:
- Drink by schedule, not by thirst
- Drink cooler water
- Take water everywhere you go, (Ie: camelback, water bottle, and canteen)
- Fluids are also in foods (fruits and vegetables)
Nutrient Needs:
Type of Training | Calories Burned per Day Women | Calories Burned per Day Men |
Military Basic Training | 2000-3000 | 3000-4000 |
Combat Support Hospital Staff in Garrison | 2000-2500 | 3000-3500 |
Combat Support Hospital Staff in Field | 2500-3000 | 3700-4200 |
Nutrient | UGR Breakfast* | UGR*** Lunch/Dinner** | MRE |
Energy (calories) | 1500 | 1500 | 1250 |
Protein | 14 % (52 grams) | 16% (60 grams) | 13% (41 grams) |
Carbohydrate | 59% (221 grams) | 55% (206 grams) | 52% (163 grams) |
Fat | 27% (45 grams) | 33% (55 grams) | 38% (53 grams) |
Nutrient Fortification of MRE
: | Vitamin C | Calcium | Iron |
Beverage Base |
X |
X |
|
Cocoa | |||
Cheese Spread |
X |
||
Jalapeno Cheese Spread |
X |
||
Peanut Butter |
X |
||
Crackers |
X |
X | |
Oatmeal Cookie Bar |
X |
||
Choc. Covered Bar |
X |
X |
|
Fruits |
X |
Nutrient | MDRI (women-men) | MRE | UGR |
Vitamin C | 75-90 mg | 110 mg | 100 mg |
Calcium | 1000 mg | 450 mg | 600 mg |
Iron | 10-15 mg | 7 mg | 15 mg |
Sodium | 3600-5000 mg | 1940 mg | 2600 mg |
Sodium:
MRE’s are within MDRI (military dietary reference intakes) guidelines for sodium content (minus the salt packet) Average sodium content per ration: 1940-2600 mg (5820-7800 mg/day) Average sodium intake in garrison: 3000-7000 mg/day Increased sodium in rations insures adequate sodium replacement for sweat lossesFunctions of Nutrients:
Protein | Build and maintain tissue, energy source |
Carbohydrates | Primary energy source |
Fat | Provide energy |
Calcium | Build and maintain teeth and bones |
Iron | Help blood supply oxygen to cells |
Sodium | Regulate body fluid volume and blood acidity |
Vitamin C | Aid in fighting off illness |
Nutrition Advice for Military Operations in Hot Environment:
POSITIVES | NEGATIVES |
DO coordinate drinking and work/rest cycles | DO NOT allow soldiers to become dehydrated |
DO maintain and enforce routing work and food discipline | DO NOT eat foods that are salty or high in protein if water is not available |
DO provide adequate quantities of potable, palatable water | DO NOT use the deployment to a hot environment as an opportunity to start a diet |
DO instruct soldiers to monitor the color and relative volume of their urine | DO NOT skip meals |
DO monitor weight loss if possible | DO NOT consume unsanitary (untreated) ice |
DO eat slightly more food than usually eaten in garrison | DO NOT eat uncooked or unpeeled fresh fruits and vegetables that have not been sanitized during operations in developing countries |
DO encourage consumption of at least 2-3 meals per day to replace the salt lost in sweat | |
DO encourage consumption of complex carbohydrate food and beverages | |
DO establish specific meal times and have soldiers continue to consume snack foods throughout the day as time permits |
How to Eat an MRE
According to the US Army, MRE is indeed meals that are ready to eat. However, they taste much better when applied with heat. You can do this in various ways, such as using the flameless ration heater included in the MRE or cooking it in a saucepan, oven, or microwave.Using the Flameless Ration Heater

Heating MREs in Boiling Water, Saucepan, or Oven

Tips on Buying MRE

MRE's in Other Countries
1. Russian IRP

- Assorted vegetables and canned meat. It includes rice, beef, boiled buckwheat, and barley porridge
- Can opener
- Caramel candy
- Concentrated beverage
- Crackers
- Fruit jam
- Hexamine stove
- Multivitamins
- Sugar
- Stewed beef
- Tea plus sugar
2. Italian Combat Rations
On the other hand, the Forze Arnate or the Italian Armed Forces utilize a food ration known as the 'Special Combat Food Ration' or the 'Razione Viveri Speciale de Combattimento.' Each of the food rations is enough for one soldier for the entire day. One ration weighs around 2.3 kg, and it has a dimension of 30 cm x 23 cm x 10.5 cm. Meanwhile, each bag includes three boxes which are good for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Unlike in some countries (like Britain, the US, and Canada), they use canned goods, pouches. The combat rations of Italy are available in seven various menus called the 'Modules.' They label it from A to G. Each module has its color, which can be found at the meal bag with a sticker on it. Moreover, each ratio in Italy includes a 'Use by date. This is two years after the ration is produced. For example, if a ration was produced in December 2002, it can be best used by December 2004.Alcohol Ration
Two of the seven modules of Italy contain an alcoholic beverage. They call it the 'Cordiale or bevanda alcoholics. It is a 3 cl shot of a brandy-like beverage. It is packed in a plastic bottle. This item specifically contains no less than 70 proof of alcohol. It must appear pale yellow amber and clear. In addition, it must smell and taste good.3. German EPA
Meanwhile, in Germany, they use a ration system known as the 'Einmannpackung' or Individual Combat Ration or EPA for short. Each EPAs aims is to provide two meals a day. There used to be four menus in the German EPA. These are the Type I, II, III, and IV. But when the two-part of Germany reunited, they felt that there was no need to stockpile food rations. As such, they started to phase them out. After that, Germany was called for UN Peacekeeping duties. Then, the authorities started to revive the rations for the troops. They settled once again to have three types of EPAs. Each of the EPA contains heavy-duty foil trays. It also includes Green Beans with Ham, Goulash, Italian Noodles, and Pea Soup with Bacon. There are also two smaller foil cans which include bread spreads like luncheon meat spread and liverwurst. In the meal box, you can also find food like gum, jam, instant fruit juice, coffee, tea, and cream. There are also miscellaneous such as water purifying tablets and paper towels.4. French RCIR

- Menus which does not contain any pork: Numbered from 1 to 7
- Menus which contain pork: Numbered from 8 to 14
- RILC: The Ration Individuelle Lyophilisee Commando or the Freeze-dried Individual Ration Commando is used for special forces. It is a freeze-dried ration that replaces canned foods.
- RIE: The Repas Individuelle D' Exercise is used by the training forces.
- Ration de Survie (Survival Ration): This is the air version of the French Survival Ration.
-
Canadian IMP
6. British 24-Hour Ration Packs
Great Britain uses a ration which they call the 24-Hour Operational Ration Pack. Its earlier version is known as GS for General Service. This type of ration contains lots of canned goods. In 1999, the GS rations were phased out. Then, the newer version becomes the primary operational ration pack in Great Britain. They come in several varieties such as the Religious, GP, Patrol, Vegetarian, and Hot or Cold Climate. The 24-hour ration pack is an individual ration that is normally used in the field. It is designed enough to feed one person each day. Also, it contains balanced nutrition for the body. Meanwhile, you can eat it either hot or cold. Generally, it can provide an average of 3,800 to 4,200 calories for each ration. Finally, it contains seven menus good for breakfast, snack, main meal, sundries, and beverages.Conclusion

Why You Should Store Food
