MRE & MCI Myths

[Ruleryak]

I just read this bookelt,

Protecting Meal, Ready-to-Eat Rations (MREs) and Other Subsistence During Storage. DOD Technical Guide #38 - May 2005.

http://www.afpmb.org/sites/default/file ... s/tg38.pdf

The guide repeats over and over that MREs are completely susceptible to rodent attack and damage. It explains how to prevent or deal with infestation and doesn't mention anywhere that the bags themselves repel rodents. I'd assume it would be pretty important info considering this is the entire subject of the book. Anyway, just thought I'd share it!

[housil]

No offense taken
I´m just a paramedic and concerned about the peoples health.
Thx for that link!

[rationtin440]

Thanks for all of the replies folks! I've heard many similar rumors myself, including using tabasco sauce in the eyes to stay awake during a night convoy movement, and that the outer plastic pouches of the MREs being made that way to make them easier to de-contaminate from a liquid chemical agent (that rumor loses steam pretty quick when one considers that many chemical agents are highly acidic in liquid form----liquid nerve agents are also normally either motor oil or maple syrup-like in consistency, but NOT smell.... which would leave the plastic pouch useless to de-con anyway, plus in a high-NBC threat, the MRE cases would be protected by tarps or some other impermeable cover). One thing I did notice though, rumor or not----every nutcake I ever ate from MCIs or MREs back in the day seemed to have a bitter aftertaste from what I can only assume was the nuts.

[Ruleryak]

It could also be the case that the pouches used to have repellent, but don't anymore. I'm still looking around to see if I can find anything that references.

Either way housil, it can't hurt to be cautious like you said - better safe than sorry!

[housil]

Here is a 1998 "Armed Forces Pest Management Board, TECHNICAL INFORMATION MEMORANDUM NO. 38"
They also warn that:
The Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) is a combat ration packaged in a 10 mil
polyethylene bag which is strong and lightweight, but can be penetrated by rodents and
certain insects.

So you are right, no hint back into 1998 tan bags.

[rationtin440]

Another thing I recall from the MCIs, which I thought was just a rumor at first, until I ate them on my first weekend drill way back when we still had steel pots, jeeps, M-16A1s, OD fatigues, and .45s; the small can of peanut butter, once opened and stirred, still had to be tipped to drain the excess oil from it, because otherwise it would be hard to digest. Of course it was easier to make the cocoa powder and peanutbutter concoction if there was just a trace of oil left to combine with water.

[Ruleryak]

Interesting. Since peanut butter keeps so well and since I have quite a few of them, I always wanted to bust one open and see if it would still be edible. The super high oil content may even help with that. One of these days I'll have to see

[RockyRaab]

Back to the coated bag myth - I'm going to continue assuming they wouldn't coat an entree bag you have to handle with something poisonous. And I'll also assume that drinking the water an entree bag is heated in is safe.

So, back to enjoying MREs...

Anybody know when the 2014 menu list will be out?

[rationtin440]

What Ruleryak said about the peanutbutter made me think about this, and this question is meant for anyone who have eaten both the MCI peanutbutter and the MRE peanutbutter: is it just me or did the MCI peanutbutter have a more greasy taste, almost but not quite rancid, compared to the MRE stuff? As I mentioned it was certainly more oily.

[dirtbag]

I do remember the oil in the peanut butter.
When you buy "real" peanut Butter, IE: 100% peanuts, the oil usually is seperated.
It cost more $$$
The other PB's have emulsifiers and other 'stuff' to keep the oil mixed in.
Cheaper too.
So, I'd guess the MCI PB was the real thing, pure PB, no additives.
To be honest, I remember stirring the PB, but don't remember eating it...
The jam was very good tho !