Field Evaluation of Improved MRE (Meal, Ready-to-Eat), MRE VII, and MRE IV

Previous field tests have demonstrated that early versions of the Meal, Ready-to-eat MREs I-V are not consumed in sufficient quantity when this ration is fed to troops as their sole source of subsistence. In an effort to improve consumption and consumer acceptance of the ration, a number of changes have been incorporated into two recent versions of the MRE, MRE VII and the Improved MRE. MRE VII contains larger entree portions than MREs I-V in 7 out of 12 menus, an added fruit-flavored beverage powder in every menu and hot sauce in three menus. The improved MRE contains nine entirely new entrees, including two breakfast entrees, two reformulated entrees, larger entree portions in 10 of the 12 menus, wet-pack fruit in place of dehydrated fruit, an oatmeal cookie bar in place of some cakes and cookies, new candies, and hot sauce in four menus. In OctoberNovember 1986, an 11-day field test comparing MRE IV, MRE VII and Improved MRE was conducted on the Island of Hawaii with troops from the 25th Infantry Divsion, Light. Troops in each of the three participating companies were fed one version of the MRE as their sole source of food for the duration of the test. Data were collected on body weight, nutrient intake, water intake, hydration status urine specific gravity and food acceptance.