Most people think of food storage, camping meals, or foods that our military uses in the field when they hear or search the words "What Are MREs."
However, there are many more things that most people are unaware of, and it is important to comprehend them.
MRE stands for Meals-Ready-to-Eat ("MRE’s”). They were introduced by the US military as a battle ration for troops in the field.
The MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) is a complete meal that is completely self-contained. One meal is equal to one MRE. An MRE's packaging is made to endure harsh handling and exposure to the outdoors. A meal plus a range of other food and drink items are included in each MRE pack.
The meal is fully cooked and can be consumed hot or cold, at any time and in any location. There is no need to prepare anything else. MRE meals are easy to hand out and dispense in the field or in an emergency because they normally contain a three-course meal.
Moreover this is a perfect add on for bug out bags as well.
While preserving a safe, long shelf life, an MRE will give good taste and sufficient nutrients. Each MRE has the same calorie count as a full meal.
MRE does not require the addition of water. Just open the pouch and eat! The POUCH was a major breakthrough. The meal is thoroughly cooked, sealed, and never exposed to the air again thanks to its three distinct layers. The taste and texture are superior to dehydrated and freeze-dried food rations.
BENEFITS OF MRE
The following are some of the advantages of MRE: Not Freeze Dried! Fully cooked – no need to add water! Our MREs, or Ready-To-Eat meals, keep moisture, gravy, and sauces in their natural state.
These meals are ready to eat at room temperature right out of the pouch. Tastes like home, has a well-balanced nutritional profile, and is easy to prepare. Long-term storage depends on the date of packing and storage conditions, 5 years or more. There is no requirement for refrigeration.
With boiling water or our heater pouches, they can be heated in 5 minutes. Components that have been battle tested and are of military grade in the United States The pack is light, lightweight, and easy to carry.
One of the biggest advantages of using MREs is that they need no preparation time, allowing you to eat your meal whenever and wherever you want.
Most importantly, they are safe to eat and give you a balanced nutritional profile, allowing you to survive in any adverse situations.
Fats, proteins, and carbs make up the majority of the calories in most MRE meals. This calorie intake is adequate to keep the body from going into an energy deficit.
COMMON USES OF MRE
In the beginning, MREs were only used by the military, but they are now a great option for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, wants to be prepared in case of an emergency, wants to take food with them while traveling, or is otherwise anticipating a situation in which regular food supplies aren't available.
Long shelf life without refrigeration is ensured by the unique pouches they utilize. It is common for private entities, police enforcement and government agencies to rely on MREs as part of their emergency food supply plan.
MREs are lightweight and easy to transport. As a result, many people keep a few on hand "just in case" in their bug-out bag, truck, or camper. The meals are also quite convenient to grab should you need to escape quickly.
Prepackaged meals like these provide all of the nutrients you need to be healthy. During the same time, they supply you with additional calories and energy at a moment when you are most likely to require it.
SHELF LIFE OF MRE MEALS:
We are all aware that an emergency situation might arise at any time. As a result, it's critical to always have food on hand that you can grab and eat. You won't be able to get to the store if a large-scale emergency occurs since it will most likely be closed and the streets will be chaotic.
Because your electricity will be out, the food in your refrigerator will spoil quickly. You and your family will be hungry if you don't have food that doesn't need to be refrigerated. You may go days, if not weeks, without eating. You can safeguard yourself and your family from unexpected catastrophes by stocking up on MREs.
The best thing about stocking up MRE’s is their shelf life. You can stock as much as food you want as per your family needs & then you don’t need to worry about its expiration.
So, let’s say you got an MRE and you're wondering if it's still edible. Or perhaps you're curious as to how long these things last exactly.
MREs are designed to withstand harsh environments, but they aren't indestructible. The packages are simple to open, and even a minor tear can render one inedible.
Most importantly, because MREs are temperature sensitive, the conditions in which they are stored have an impact on how long they will last.
An MRE will endure roughly five years at 75°F typical temperatures. The military rotates and replaces MRE supplies throughout this time period as well. This timescale, however, is only valid if the storage temperature remains constant at 75° F over the whole five-year period.
The shelf life of an MRE decreases as the temperature rises, although it can be extended by storing it at lower temperatures. An MRE maintained at 120° F, for example, will survive around a month, although certain MREs can last up to ten years if kept under consistent cooler settings.
MRE VS FREEZE DRIED FOOD:
"Meals Ready to Eat" is an expression for "Meals Ready to Eat." All of the ingredients in these shelf-stable delicacies have been fully cooked and can be consumed hot or cold.
While preserving a safe, long shelf life, an MRE will give good taste and sufficient nutrients.
Each MRE has the same calorie count as a full meal. An MRE does not require the addition of water. Just open the pouch and eat!
Freeze-Dried foods, on the other hand, have up to 99 percent of their moisture or water removed using a process known as sublimation, or freeze-drying as it is often known.
This is accomplished by preparing, seasoning, and cooking the items before flash freezing them. The items are then placed into a freeze-drying chamber, which is gently warmed while a vacuum is pulled to remove practically all of the moisture from the foods.
It can take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours to complete this process, but the ultimate result is well worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can civilians eat MREs?
- Yes, MRE meals can be consumed by anyone. The MRE meals are accessible to everyone and people can buy, store and consume them whenever they are in any harsh or survival condition.
- How long does an MRE last?
-MRE kits are kept in airtight packs to prevent bacteria from getting inside and contaminating the meal before it's opened. It's similar to the rationale behind freezing food to preserve it: when food is frozen, bacteria development is inhibited, and the food remains edible for an extended period of time.
- Do MREs need water?
-While preserving a safe, long shelf life, an MRE will give good taste and sufficient nutrients. Each MRE has the same calorie count as a full meal. An MRE does not require the addition of water. Just open the pouch and eat!
CONCLUSION:
We hope this article would have helped you to understand “What Are MRE’s”.
We never know when we will come across any natural disaster or any pandemic, but we can prepare ourselves for survival. We just need to take small steps towards emergency preparedness.
Stocking up food and essentials is the most important part of your survival plan because you won’t be able to survive longer without food and water. So, make your survival plan and get started.
To ensure your safety, stock up on MREs. Stay prepared with a variety of Ready To Eat Meals.
To buy quality MRE Meals at affordable prices, you can visit Safecastle & take a step towards emergency preparedness.