Military ration packs, also known as meals, ready to eat, are specially packaged food suitable for use in the military. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration have adapted the concept to feed astronauts in confined, zero-gravity conditions. They are also useful for hikers, backpackers, campers, and families who like to prepare for natural emergencies, like hurricanes and earthquakes. Special packs are available to accommodate the religious and dietary requirements. There are Kosher rat packs for Jewish service members and Halal MRE for Muslims.
The consumption of "rat packs" is not limited to members of the armed forces. Astronauts use military-like ready meals. They are also suitable for preppers. In order to meet the requirements for the meals to be prepared under battle conditions with a minimum of fuss, certain comprises are often made with respect to palatability. As a consequence, MREs have been referred to affectionately as "Meals Rejected by the Enemy, " "Meals, Rarely Edible, " and "Meals Resembling Edibles, " to name just a few.
The contents of a ration pack for a single generally consist of an entree, a second course, and a dessert. It would also be likely to contain crackers or a roll with peanut butter and jam or other spread. To keep the weight of the pack down to a manageable level, beverages are, by necessity, powdered. A pack might have coffee or tea or a powdered cold beverage. Seasonings (salt, pepper, ketchup, etc.) are often included as is a packet of after-dinner chewing gum.
Ration packs contain non-food items as well. Specifically, these would include utensils (usually in the form of a sturdy plastic spoon), a beverage mixing bag, paper napkin and/or toilet paper, along with a pre-moistened towelette. The pack would also include water-resistant matches and a flameless ration heater.
Kosher and Halal dietary regimes are catered for as well. There are various special situations where the rat pack menu might be different. Sometimes, the ambient temperature is too cold even for the flameless heater. Here, freeze-dried food is often used that can be reconstituted with water. Flight crews sometimes have to eat their meals with one hand on the steering wheel, so the manufacturer has to legislate for consumption without utensils.
Ration packs are made that cater for Muslims, that is, Halal food, and those that follow Judaisim (Kosher food). Meat derived from pigs, such as ham, bacon, and pork, is forbidden according to Islamic Shariah law. The practice of Halal also covers things like drugs and make-up.
Strictly speaking, pork is also forbidden according to Kosher rules. The reason for this is to respect the hip. Jacob, the father of the 12 Jewish tribes, injured his hip after wrestling with an angel for an entire night. Today's Jews still do not consume pork. Both Halal and Kosher regulations govern the methods by which animals are killed in preparation for consumption.
People living in outer space have particular challenges to be met with regard to meal times. The absence of gravity is the main one. Food tastes different in deep space, too, and astronauts tend to like spicy foods. On one occasion, a member of the Gemini II space crew, mission commander Gus Grissom, smuggled a corned beef sandwich on a flight. He was gently reprimanded by NASA.
The consumption of "rat packs" is not limited to members of the armed forces. Astronauts use military-like ready meals. They are also suitable for preppers. In order to meet the requirements for the meals to be prepared under battle conditions with a minimum of fuss, certain comprises are often made with respect to palatability. As a consequence, MREs have been referred to affectionately as "Meals Rejected by the Enemy, " "Meals, Rarely Edible, " and "Meals Resembling Edibles, " to name just a few.
The contents of a ration pack for a single generally consist of an entree, a second course, and a dessert. It would also be likely to contain crackers or a roll with peanut butter and jam or other spread. To keep the weight of the pack down to a manageable level, beverages are, by necessity, powdered. A pack might have coffee or tea or a powdered cold beverage. Seasonings (salt, pepper, ketchup, etc.) are often included as is a packet of after-dinner chewing gum.
Ration packs contain non-food items as well. Specifically, these would include utensils (usually in the form of a sturdy plastic spoon), a beverage mixing bag, paper napkin and/or toilet paper, along with a pre-moistened towelette. The pack would also include water-resistant matches and a flameless ration heater.
Kosher and Halal dietary regimes are catered for as well. There are various special situations where the rat pack menu might be different. Sometimes, the ambient temperature is too cold even for the flameless heater. Here, freeze-dried food is often used that can be reconstituted with water. Flight crews sometimes have to eat their meals with one hand on the steering wheel, so the manufacturer has to legislate for consumption without utensils.
Ration packs are made that cater for Muslims, that is, Halal food, and those that follow Judaisim (Kosher food). Meat derived from pigs, such as ham, bacon, and pork, is forbidden according to Islamic Shariah law. The practice of Halal also covers things like drugs and make-up.
Strictly speaking, pork is also forbidden according to Kosher rules. The reason for this is to respect the hip. Jacob, the father of the 12 Jewish tribes, injured his hip after wrestling with an angel for an entire night. Today's Jews still do not consume pork. Both Halal and Kosher regulations govern the methods by which animals are killed in preparation for consumption.
People living in outer space have particular challenges to be met with regard to meal times. The absence of gravity is the main one. Food tastes different in deep space, too, and astronauts tend to like spicy foods. On one occasion, a member of the Gemini II space crew, mission commander Gus Grissom, smuggled a corned beef sandwich on a flight. He was gently reprimanded by NASA.
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