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Showing posts with label ER. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ER. Show all posts

Thursday, April 18, 2013

MREs (Meals, Ready-to-Eat)

Posted by Thai Thuy Linh 4:17 PM

MREs are the main operational food ration for the United States Armed Forces. You can check out the MRE History page for more a more in-depth history of how MREs came to be but the short version is that the c-rations and k-rations from World War II developed into the MCI (Meal, Combat, Individual) rations used in Korea and Vietnam. Then in 1980, the MRE was developed and became the primary ration for the US.

What is an MRE?

The MRE is a totally self-contained complete meal. One MRE = one meal. The packaging of an MRE is designed to withstand rough conditions and exposure to the elements. Inside each MRE bag is an entree and a variety of other food and drink items. MREs come packaged in cases with 12 MREs per case. There are currently 24 different "menus" or varieties of MREs. Menus 1-12 are packaged in a case designated Case A and menus 13-24 are packaged in Case B.

What's in an MRE?

You can find a listing of the exact components of each MRE on the MRE Menus page . The military makes a few changes to the menus every year so you will find a different menu listing for each year. In general, though, each MRE contains the following:
  • Entree - the main course, such as Spaghetti or Beef Stew
  • Side dish - rice, corn, fruit, or mashed potatoes, etc.
  • Cracker or Bread
  • Spread - peanut butter, jelly, or cheese spread
  • Dessert - cookies or pound cakes
  • Candy - M&Ms, Skittles, or Tootsie Rolls
  • Beverages - Gatorade-like drink mixes, cocoa, dairy shakes, coffee, tea
  • Hot sauce or seasoning - in some MREs
  • Flameless Ration Heater - to heat up the entree
  • Accessories - spoon, matches, creamer, sugar, salt, chewing gum, toilet paper, etc.
Each MRE provides an average of 1,250 calories (13% protein, 36% fat, and 51% carbohydrates) and 1/3 of the Military Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamins and minerals. A full day's worth of meals would consist of 

How do you eat an MRE?

True to its name, the MRE is "ready to eat" and everything can be consumed without cooking or heating (but the beverages are much better when water is added to the drink mixes). While the entrees and sides are fine to eat cold, they usually taste much better when heated up with the included Flameless Ration Heater or by boiling in water.

How long do MREs last?

Officially, MREs are designed to have a shelf life of three years when stored at 80 degree F. These times can be lengthened or shortened depending on their storage temperatures. Higher temperatures = shorter MRE lifespans. I've tried many MREs that were 10 or 15 years old and with the exception of a few parts that had darkened in color over time, they still tasted fine.

Official Military MRE Page

This is the link to the official military page on MREs:
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Saturday, March 30, 2013

Emergency Ration: Advanced Emergency Ration Pack

Posted by Thai Thuy Linh 4:22 PM


Product Description

This U.S. Version of the Emergency Ration Pack, containing US Government Approved Survival Gear, was designed by Best Glide ASE. It includes numerous enhancements to the original UK design. he Emergency Ration Pack is a perfect way to prepare oneself for hurricane survival, tornado survival, earthquake survival and unforeseen non-natural disasters seen every day around the world. Throw a couple in the car or keep a few at home just in case. Each Disaster Survival Kit contains approximately 1500 calories of life preserving nutrition, as well as numerous items to stay comfortable, remain warm, keep oriented and to be rescued. The Emergency Ration Pack comes sealed in an airtight bag which is constructed of a high barrier foil laminate designed for the preservation of food items. It is impervious to sun, moisture and air. The high grade survival items within, some of which are military and/or NATO approved, are protected by a permanent seal but include a heavy duty zip lock which makes the bag resealable after initial use. The Emergency Ration pack is available in two versions: Basic and Advanced. The basic version of the Emergency Ration Pack includes the following items: Emergency Food, Bouillon Cube, Energy/Candy Bar, Coffee, Creamer, Sugar, Military Approved Gel Fuel, Matches, Foil Tray, Water Bag, Water Purification Tablets, Survival Whistle, Pencil, Survival Instructions, Wire (Snare Type), Hard Candy, Button Compass and Fresnel Lens Fire Starter. This Advanced Version of the Emergency Ration Pack (US Version) adds a Utility Knife, Basic Fishing Kit, NATO Survival Matches, Basic First Aid Supply and a Desiccant. Notes: Minor substitutions sometimes occur due to product availability. A recent change is to Military Gel Fuel instead of the Solid Fuel Tabs and the addition of NATO Survival Matches to the Advanced Ration Pack. This product sometimes contains peanuts.

Product Details

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Emergency Ration: ER Emergency Ration 3600 Calories

Posted by Thai Thuy Linh 4:10 PM

ER Emergency Ration 3600 Calories


Important Information

Ingredients
Enriched Flour, Vegetable Shortening, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Soy Flour, Corn Starch, Potassium Sorbate, Vitamins (Vitamin A, Iron, Vitamin E, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Copper, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Thiamin, Niacin, Falate, Biotin, Iodine, Zinc), Artificial Lemon Flavoring, Artificial Vanilla Flavoring, Artificial Butter Flavoring, Artificial Coloring (Egg Shade).

Product Details

Like most foods, eating nothing but ER Bars for even three days would be taxing, but in a true emergency situation, you are eating to replace and replenish the basic substances your body needs to continue to function properly. On the other hand, I did not personally find anything wrong with the taste of the rations and while I wouldn't necessarily be eagerly looking forward to eating these three times a day, they are still palatable. And while some may argue differently, I generally agree with the manufacturer's claim that they are for the most part non-thirst provoking. No dry mouth.



It should be clarified that emergency food rations are not substitutes for these in any way shape or form so much as emergency rations to be cached in the event of a true emergency or added to emergency car kits, marine kits, go-bags, etc. for emergency use only. The extremely dense and compact (and durable) nature of the packages make them ideal for these applications.

At 27 oz (little more than 1.5 lbs) for 3 days worth of calories, it would be tough to find a more efficient shelf stable food source that contained the same nutritional balance. By comparison, a single 1200 cal MRE weighs about the same with about 2-3 times the bulk unless pre-field stripped (which reduces MRE storage/shelf life). Given the choice between a single MRE or three squares of ER Bars for a reduced 1200 cal/day emergency ration, the MRE would win; no comparison. But when it comes to caching, a case of 20 ER Bars (2 month supply) occupies less storage space than a box of 12 MREs (12 meals total). If space is a consideration, 5 boxes of MREs would be the caloric/nutritional equivalent of a single 20 package box of ER Bars. ER Bars are extremely easy to store/cache and transport.

Health concerns could include the high saturated fat content (used to bind the flour/sugar mixture into bricks as well as provide slower burn energy) at 9g per serving (45% USRDA) as well as the 50% USRDA niacin for those who are niacin sensitive. Low fiber along with the high fat content will likely slow gut motility in the average healthy individual (fewer bowel movements) which is generally beneficial in an emergency survival situation. Lastly, the sodium and potassium content (no added salt/extremely low sodium content) is almost non-existent, making electrolyte replacement a potential issue in high heat environments. The bars do contain potassium iodide.
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