Military MRE or Civilian MRE Meals Ready to Eat?

When Hurricane Katrina hit, the prices of MRE meals skyrocketed because the food supply chain just wasn’t getting to those in need.  People took matters into their own hands by being proactive and stock piled military MREs in case of emergencies.  Nowadays, more manufacturers offer commercial MREs or civilian meals ready to eat.  It is understandable that people might still want military grade food rations as the thinking is, if it is good enough for the army, it is good enough for me.  However, studying the packages, you will find that there is actually very little few differences between civilian MREs and military MREs.  In some instances, you might be getting better quality food with civilian MREs.

U.S. military MREs are actually not supposed to be sold for commercial purposes.  However, this doesn’t stop sales of cases of MRE on eBay.  If you have no problem with buying military MRE, things you want to look out for are the packing and inspection date and the menu offered.  You also have to be aware that since this sale is prohibited by the U.S. government, you’ll have little recourse in legal actions should you find something wrong with your MRE.  In other words, buyer beware.  Since the military MRE comes to you second hand, you also do not have any idea how it was stored and what temperature conditions it was subjected to.  On the other hand, if you do get your hands on a case of genuine military MRE, it is a bigger meal than the civilian version and there’s more variety in the case as well.  Military MREs are also less expensive than civilian MREs.

5 MRE's (Meals-Ready-to-Eat)    US $12.49

Wise Foods Ready-Made Meals Emergency 72-Hour Meal Kit    US $37.50

MRE military meals ready to eat Case A 1-12 04/2011    US $34.95

Nesco Gardenmaster Dehydrator, Emergency Food Storage    US $169.99

Emergency Food Supply - 90 Servings!! FREE SHIP!    US $54.99

MRE Meals Ready To Eat *Freshest* Case A Inspect 11/11    US $59.99

2 INDIVIDUAL MEALS READY TO EAT. MRE    US $7.00

3 INDIVIDUAL MEALS READY TO EAT. MRE    US $8.50

MRE Meals Ready To Eat REAL US Mil Case A Insp 03/11    US $55.99

5 INDIVIDUAL MEALS READY TO EAT    US $9.95

MRE's 11 Main Entrees, Sides and Desserts (96 items)    US $20.00

Mountain House - 1 Can - Vegetable Stew with Beef    US $27.70

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The manufacturers of civilian meals ready to eat are listening to the public demands for more variety in the menus.  Each year, a greater selection emerges.  There are five main brands of civilian food rations and they include:  Ameriqual aPack, Sopakco Sure-Pak 12, Wornick Eversafe, Menu C, MREStar.  The packaging and contents of these companies are quite similar to the military version as the first three companies listed actually produce MREs for the military.  If you are buying civilian MREs, the chances are it won’t be left in the scorching desert sun and will be “fresher” when you get it.   You can then properly store it for your own emergency preparation without worries if it will go bad.

Whichever MRE meals you choose, be it military or civilian, know that you are doing the right thing in being prepared for any disaster.