MREs

Are the good old MREs (Meals-Ready-to-Eat) you can find in your everyday Army Navy Surplus store good for you? Well it's certainly debatable. What isn't debatable is that they are a perfect eating alternative when fresh food isn't available. And are they really necessary? Absolutely. They were considered so necessary that most superpower's armies (including the U.S.) began testing and developing MRE packs for soldiers by the tail end of the Cold War. Sure army rations had been around for the greater part of the 20th century, but not small, self-contained meals that could be stored for a long time, heated up with an included heater unit and then eaten quickly.

By the time Operation Desert Storm had started the U.S. had already been testing and improving the MRE for about 12 years and continued to do so until about 2003 where they remain the same to this day.

But does the everyday civilian need MREs? Considering harsh winters, natural disasters and a number of other factors I'd say so. And considering the fact that some have a pretty lengthy shelf life it probably can't hurt to have enough for the whole family to live on for at least a couple of days. Or even a couple of MREs for camping or hiking.

If you have room in your refrigerator it isn't a bad idea to keep a couple MREs in there because it will extend their shelf life. As shown here you can imagine how long an MRE will last if it is stored at the average refrigerator temp of 35-38 degrees Fahrenheit.



Military MRE Alternatives?:
Up until seven years ago there weren't many civilian alternatives to the ubiquitous military MRE. Pre-2005 most civilian MREs didn't contain as much food, had different or inferior components, and did not offer much variety. But with the latest civilian brands those concerns no longer apply.
After Hurricane Katrina much of the civilian MRE market picked up and more companies began producing legitimate, branded civilian MREs. Ameriqual, Sopakco and Wornick, all major manufacturers of military MREs started producing their own civilian products. Additionally, International Meals Supply, a certified supplier of emergency rations for the Department of Defense, has joined the civilian MRE field with their MREStar product.¹

• Ameriqual APack
• MREStar
• Sopakco Sure-Pak 12
• Wornick Eversafe

Health Concerns:
In order for MREs to last as long as they do they need a number preservatives and additives. And guess what? They're not always the best things for you to consume, but remember: it's all about doing things in moderation. If the MRE isn't your everyday food choice you'll probably be okay. And an important side-note about some powdered drinks in MREs. Most powdered drinks have tricalcium phosphate, an anti-caking agent which also acts as an acidity regulator. In some forms it can cause nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, constipation, dry mouth, increased thirst and increased urination so just be cautious. Not everyone will react badly to these different preservatives, but there are always exceptions.

Other MRE Alternatives :
If you don't need an entire pack there are also freeze-dried entrees that are good alternatives to MREs. An MRE traditionally contains: an entree, side dish, cracker or bread, spread, dessert, candy, beverages, hot sause or seasoning, a flameless ration heater, utensils and accessories. That's a lot. Companies like Mountain House and Backpacker's Pantry have excellent and varied menu options with items that have a much longer shelf life than the average MRE. As far as I know most Mountain House entrees have a shelf life of 25 years whereas the newest MREs may only have a maximum shelf life of around 6 years in the driest and coolest conditions possible.

*Remember that freeze dried foods require cooking with boiling water whereas MREs usually come with their own heater pack, but don't even require heating to eat anyway.

For a Go-Bag or Bug-Out-Bag I'd recommend something like a couple Mountain House meals because they'll last longer in more adverse conditions than an MRE. If you're planning ahead of time to go out into the wilderness then the MRE would be a good option because I would like to think that it was being stored properly beforehand.

Notes and References

1. "http://www.mreinfo.com/us/mre/mre-history.html" MREinfo.com. Retrieved 25 September 2012.