Army tests new MRE packaging for fresher food

2015-08-03T14:00:51-04:00

From: Military Times

Military researchers are examining new ways to improve your Meals Ready to Eat — without even touching the food. The Army says using a new non-foil material for food packaging could make MREs weigh less, cost less and better serve environment. But the probably the most important benefit to service members: it could provide a more airtight barrier to protect food and ensure freshness.

What you need to know about the research and the new material that could be born out of it:

1. Think small. The package under development would use nanontechnology, that would probably require a Ph.D. to intuitively understand. Developed by the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, the materials consist of nanocomposite films that incorporate nano-clay particles into thermoplastic resins. In less fancy-speak, they weave synthetic materials even tighter to keep water and air out, using materials 1,000 times smaller than conventional materials, according to the Army.

2. Why do this? Well, though MRE bags, in the short term, keep moisture and air out already, like most materials they do not provide a 100 percent airtight barrier. Over long periods of time some air will seep through the space between the molecules that makes up the bag. That can decrease freshness and shorten shelf life. The new bags will meet the Army requirement for MREs of a three-year shelf-life, and have a five-year shelf life for space applications.

3. Lighter is better. Aside from fresher food, the lighter material can reduce the logistical burden of the warfighter. Every ounce matters, whether loading down a soldier or a supply vessel, so the Army is always looking at ways to cut weight.

In addition, the work at NRDEC's Combat Feeding Directorate also involves study of these packaging methods to determine the effects of different processing methods on vitamin stability. Not only would food be fresher and safer, the Army's press release said, it would retain more nutrition.

4. Next steps. Testing still needs to be done to ensure it meets all the standards the Army has set for the new food-sacks: "After further demonstration and validation work, we will know if these materials have acceptable performance to be considered for incorporation into ration packaging for the warfighter," Dr. Jo Ann Ratto, team leader for the Advanced Materials Engineering Team at CFD, said.

The intent is for the packaging to meet the MRE requirement of maintaining a three-year shelf life.

5. New menu options. The change comes after some other recent adjustments to the MRE were announced last year. This year saw the additions of white-meat chicken chunks, new buffalo and hot chili lime sauces, cranberry-grape drink powder, applesauce pound cake, and hash brown potatoes with bacon.

Items new for 2016 will include macaroni in tomato sauce, spinach fettuccine, chocolate protein drink powder and crushed red pepper. Last we heard, work was continuing on pepperoni pizza MRE. The coveted food was not expected to reach troops until 2017, at the earliest.

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/tech/2015/08/02/army-tests-new-mre-packaging-fresher-food/30885867/

Military researchers are examining new ways to improve your Meals Ready to Eat.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 2:32 PM

2015-08-03T14:32:43-04:00

I think MREs get a bad rap in general. I mean something with the nickname Meals Rejected by Ethiopians isn't going to be received well because there is already a negative connotation associated with it. We all have our favorite and least favorite MRE that we've tried. I thought that having MRE heaters greatly improved the palpability of the meal itself. These improvements don't go the way of affecting the taste of the meals but do extend the shelf life of the product and are suppose to be lighter and more environmentally friendly. I'll give it the thumbs up for that alone, we (the military) does seem to create a lot of waste and should be thinking about ways we can have less impact on the environment.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Aug 3 at 2015 2:53 PM

2015-08-03T14:53:05-04:00

Long overdue

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 3 at 2015 3:37 PM

2015-08-03T15:37:46-04:00

Why do they ditch the MREs that taste good? When we were in the field I posted a guard to ensure soldiers did not cherry pick the MREs. Grab one and go. Don't screw your buddies.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 3 at 2015 4:41 PM

2015-08-03T16:41:41-04:00

They should just contract out MRE production to the French. They know how to do it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2015 5:58 PM

2015-08-03T17:58:54-04:00

MREs have made major improvements in 30+ years. Anyone remember the early versions? Dehydrated EVERYTHING it seemed like. Pork and Beef patties and those yummy dehydrated potato patties? yummy! yummy! there was even dehydrated catchup in the 1985 version with dark packaging? The sawdust granola bar? and who can't forget the green egg omelet meal?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2015 12:31 AM

2015-08-05T00:31:05-04:00

Never had an issue with them being fresh (thankyou supply and logistics)....did have issues with the taste and selection sometimes....but being that are designed more as a sustenance vs food i'm ok with that....had to eat more of them than I can remember on multiple deployments...cant really complain....hint for the new guys....volunteer to help off load the supply trucks....you may get lucky and get first pick out of the "freshly" opened case before the next GAC.......also peanut butter, jalapeno cheese, and hot sauce are God's gift to you....don't waste them or throw them away.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2022 2:32 PM

2022-09-28T14:32:38-04:00

Anything was better than the cold weather MREs.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Sep 28 at 2022 3:42 PM

2022-09-28T15:42:31-04:00

These meals have come a long way!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2022 3:47 PM

2022-09-28T15:47:14-04:00

I personally think the MREs from the late 80's to early 90's were awesome. Chicken Ala King, baby!!! There's a Youtuber who goes by Steve1989 who reviews old MREs. Very interesting channel and it definitely brings back memories. My dad (Retired Army) used to bring me MREs from the field/commissary when I was really young and it was always a heck of an experience.

Response by Amn Dale Preisach made Sep 28 at 2022 4:39 PM

2022-09-28T16:39:40-04:00

How well has the packaging held up to being submerged in Water for extended periods. Floods happen, burst pipes, fire suppression systems go off, ...