Weird MRE Case: AMERICAN POUCH FOODS CO., INC.

[mreheater72]

Hi there,

today I want to show an empty , very early, weird MRE Case packed by AMERICAN POUCH FOODS CO., INC. in April 1981. I know that company, they packed Crackers and Nut Cakes in the early eighties, but never seen before that on a MRE case . I seemed that an adhesive label was glued over that printing before, but if it was so, I do not know what was printed to that label .

It is very interesting with the Inspection Date April 1983. It is only two years after the DoP , today it is three years

Here are the pics:













So long mreheater72

[mreheater72]

Additionally one pic in that context , it is 11th ACR on REFORGER exercise in the late eighties:

You can see the case on the tank turret


(Source of photo: http://www.usarmygermany.com/)

[biscuits brown]

thats the earliest MRE case Ive seen. Any earlier out there? Norge..

[biscuits brown]

[quote="mreheater72"]Hi there,

today I want to show an empty , very early, weird MRE Case packed by AMERICAN POUCH FOODS CO., INC. in April 1981. I know that company, they packed Crackers and Nut Cakes in the early eighties, but never seen before that on a MRE case . I seemed that an adhesive label was glued over that printing before, but if it was so, I do not know what was printed to that label .

It is very interesting with the Inspection Date April 1983. It is only two years after the DoP , today it is three years

Here are the pics:





Hagen, notice that there are ghost traces of writing just visible on the left? D and F and looks like S. Almost looks like HOLLAND (?) on the bottom far left




Your point about the inspection date would make this white label more sensible. It is saying to ignore the inspection date and consider it OK. Like the manufacturers had to put this more improvised label on, issued by the DoD?

[mreheater72]

Hagen, notice that there are ghost traces of writing just visible on the left? D and F and looks like S. Almost looks like HOLLAND (?) on the bottom far left.

Now as you mentioned it I also recognized the "ghost traces"! Simon, your eye´s are pretty good !

I guess I found the answer, see that photo:


So long mreheater72

[norge]

Any earlier out there? Norge.. sorry i dont have one like that....
but i know about one,hope i gett it

cheers ken

[biscuits brown]

Hagen, notice that there are ghost traces of writing just visible on the left? D and F and looks like S. Almost looks like HOLLAND (?) on the bottom far left.

Now as you mentioned it I also recognized the "ghost traces"! Simon, your eye´s are pretty good !

I guess I found the answer, see that photo:


So long mreheater72

MULLINS = HOLLAND

Once my eyes were great. Now they print the labels on things with tiny tiny writing...

It is always really interesting to try help out with your little collection mysteries H!

Si

[Treesuit]

Guys as I remember the first mass produced MRE's didn't show up until 1983, these are from 1981 so are you guys saying these are first run meals or the prototypes?

[biscuits brown]

Guys as I remember the first mass produced MRE's didn't show up until 1983, these are from 1981 so are you guys saying these are first run meals or the prototypes?

These must be one of the first full scale runs, getting them into the supply chain so that they would replace MCI "by 1983"

Just a guess really. but it doesnt seem a prototype

[mreheater72]

Guys as I remember the first mass produced MRE's didn't show up until 1983, these are from 1981 so are you guys saying these are first run meals or the prototypes?

...These must be one of the first full scale runs, getting them into the supply chain so that they would replace MCI "by 1983"
Just a guess really. but it doesnt seem a prototype

In NATICK PAM 30-25, 8th Edition, APRIL 2009 (“RATION HANDBOOK”), HISTORICAL LOOK AT RATIONS, page 62, I found the following sentence:

“The Meal, Ready to Eat went into full production in 1980 , with the first MREs hitting the field in 1983.”

So long mreheater72