Help Identifying this ration

[Edward1987]

Some sort of large horlicks ration dated 1963.
2 man 1 day. Is it civilian or military?
Any ideas on contents?

[RGoodellSr]

Horlicks is a sweet malted milk hot drink powder developed and patented by founders James and William Horlick in 1873. It was first sold as "Horlick's Infant and Invalids Food", soon adding "aged and travelers" to their label. In the early 20th century it was sold as a powdered meal replacement drink mix. It was very popular in the UK in the interwar period, and first entered World War I in 1914.

Ingredients vary slightly from country to country, but the main ingredient in the United Kingdom formulation is a mixture of wheat flour and malted wheat (46%), followed by malted barley (26%). Other ingredients include dried whey, calcium carbonate, dried skimmed milk, sugar, palm oil or soy protein isolate, salt, Silicon Dioxide (Anti-Caking Agent E551), and a mixture of vitamins and minerals

Horlicks malted drink was also compacted into tablets. The tablets were made of the same ingredients, but designed to be eaten rather than prepared as a drink. In World War II, the tablets were supplied to US, UK and other troops as an energy boosting treat, and included in lifeboat and liferaft rations, and aircrew escape kits. The ration provided enough sustenance for two men for twenty-four hours, however it was often stretched much longer.

The ration you pictured appears to be from the Vietnam War era.

Commercial production of various Horlicks products for the retail market continues to this day.