14

For DLA Troop Support Website Posting

RDNS-SEC-EM 28 March 2016

TO: DLA Troop Support - Subsistence

SUBJECT: ES16-024 (DSCP-SS-16-00454); Document Change Request to Meal, Ready-to-Eat 

(MRE) Food Product Documents to Allow for Conversion to Paperboard Sleeves in lieu of 

Cartons and to Change the Language for Directional Tear Testing, in addition to updating MILPRF-44073G, Packaging of Food in Flexible Pouches.

1. References: 

a. Memo from RDNS-CFF to DSCP-FTRE, dated 27 September 2013, ES13-055 (DSCPSS-13-01030), Document change request to ACR-M-034, Meal, Ready-to-EatTM (MRETM), 

Assembly Requirements and MIL-PRF-44073G, Packaging of Food in Flexible Pouches to allow 

for replacement of paperboard cartons with paperboard sleeves.

b. Memo from RDNS-CFF to DSCP-FTRE, dated 27 September 2013, ES13-058 

(DSCP-SS-13-01082); Document Change Request to Meal, Ready-to-EatTM (MRETM) Food 

Product Documents to Allow for Conversion to Paperboard Sleeves in lieu of Cartons. 

c. Memo from RDNS-CFF to DSCP-FTRE, dated 24 January 2014, ES14-019 (DSCPSS-14-00495); Follow up to ES13-058 (DSCP-SS-13-01082); Document Change Request to 

Meal, Ready-to-EatTM (MRETM) Food Product Documents; to allow for alternate labeling 

procedures and the limited use of paperboard insert cards.

2. In September 2013, Natick requested changes to affected food product documents (as 

described in detail below) to accommodate the Joint Service approved transition from 

paperboard cartons to paperboard sleeves in the MRE and the United States Department of 

Agriculture - Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) approval of alternate labeling 

procedures for the retort pouch and paperboard sleeve that will still achieve regulatory 

compliance. At that time, in lieu of making 31 separate documents changes, a summary of 

changes was recommended to expedite the transition to Defense Logistics Agency – Troop 

Support and to meet their MRE 34 solicitation deadlines. Natick promised to follow up with 

formal document changes to replace the paperboard carton with the paperboard sleeve at a later 

date.

3. Current changes to the affected documents are for MRE 37 and all future MRE procurements. 

Due to slight variations in labeling requirements for USDA entrées and FDA entrées, fruits 

and sides, as well as different initial formatting within the affected documents, the requested 

changes below are grouped by similar documents with similar changes.

4. Natick requests the following changes to the affected USDA inspected MRE entrée 

documents: PCR-A-005, PCR-B-029A, PCR-B-021A, PCR-B-057, PCR-B-020A, PCR-B-054, 

PCR-B-050, PCR-C-021A, PCR-C-027A, PCR-C-069, PCR-H-012A, PCR- M-015, PCR-M016, PCR-P-045, PCR-S-018, PCR-S-002 and PKG&QAP A-A-20352B:
15

(1) Section D-1: Delete paragraph in its entirety and insert “Product shall be filled into 

pouches and sealed in accordance with MIL-PRF-44073, Packaging of Food in Flexible Pouches, 

Type I, Style 1.”.

(2) Section D-1: For PCR-H-012A delete paragraph in its entirety and insert “Product 

shall be filled into pouches and sealed in accordance with MIL-PRF-44073, Packaging of Food 

in Flexible Pouches, Type I, Style 1.”.

(3) Section D-1: For PKG&QAP A-A- 20352B delete paragraph in its entirety and insert 

“Product shall be filled into pouches and sealed in accordance with MIL-PRF-44073, Packaging 

of Food in Flexible Pouches, Type I, Style 1. Type VI may be packaged in commercial gusseted 

pouches.”.

(4) Section D-2, A, (2): After “Filling equipment identification number” delete “Official 

establishment number” or “Official inspection legend” depending on the document and insert 

“Official establishment number (Optional)”.

(5) Section D-2, A, (2): For PCR-P-045 and PCR-B-050 After “Official establishment 

number (Optional)” insert “Retort identification number and Retort cook number (Optional)”.

(6) Section D-2, A, (2): For PCR-C-069 and PCR-M-015 After “Retort identification 

number and Retort cook number” insert “(Optional)”. After “Retort identification number and 

Retort cook number (Optional)” insert “Time stamp (hour and minute of filling/sealing 

operation)”.

(7) Section D-2, A: After “Time stamp...or Retort cook number (if applicable) and 

footnote 1/” insert a new subsection (3) with footnote 1/ “(3) USDA official inspection legend 

for the packer’s plant 1/

1/ May be placed on the paperboard sleeve if labeled under USDA/FSIS supervision as an 

identification service.”

(8) Section D-2, B: Delete “Cartons” and insert “Paperboard sleeves”.

(9) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete “The cartons shall be clearly printed on one of the largest 

panels with permanent black ink as follows:” and insert “The sleeves shall be clearly printed on 

one of the panels with permanent black ink as follows: 1/”.

(10) Section D-2, B, (1): For PCR-B-050 delete “BRISKET ENTRÉE GRAVY WITH 

SEASONED BEEF BRISKET SLICES” and insert “Product name (7/32 to 9/32 inch block 

letters)”.

(11) Section D-2, B, (1): For PCR-P-045 delete “PORK SAUSAGE PATTY, MAPLE 

FLAVORED” and insert “Product name (7/32 to 9/32 inch block letters)”.

(12) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete “Code (same as pouch code, see pouches) 1/ 2/ 3/” and 

“USDA official inspection legend for the packer’s plant”.

(13) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete footnote 1/ in its entirety and insert “1/ With contracting 
16

officer approval, this information may be printed on the pouch in lieu of the paperboard sleeve.”.

(14) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete footnote 2/ in its entirety.

(15) Section D-2, B, (1): When present in the document, delete footnote 3/ in its entirety.

(16) Section D-2, B, (2): Delete “...shall be printed on the entrée carton’s large panel 

opposite to the panel printed with the data in D-2,B(1) above. The information, provided by the 

contracting officer, shall be clearly printed with permanent black ink in an area no smaller than 

4-1/4 inches by 6-3/4 inches.” and insert “...shall be printed on the entrée sleeve’s panel opposite 

to the panel printed with the data in D-2,B(1) above, as applicable. The information, provided by 

the contracting officer, shall be clearly printed with permanent black ink in an area no smaller 

than 4 inches by 5-1/4 inches.”.

(17) Section D-2, B, (3): When subsection (3) is present in the document, delete second 

sentence “The cartons shall be labeled with the following product name.” and insert “The sleeves 

(or pouches, as applicable) shall be labeled with the following product name.”.

(18) Section D-2, B, (3): For PCR-B-029A delete second sentence “The cartons shall be 

labeled with the following product name.” and insert “The sleeves (or pouches, as applicable) 

shall be labeled with the following product names, as applicable.”.

(19) Section D-2, B, (3): For PCR-B-050 insert a new subsection (3) “(3) The product 

shall be formulated and labeled in accordance with all USDA labeling regulations and policies. 

The sleeves (or pouches, as applicable) shall be labeled with the following product name.

BRISKET ENTRÉE (GRAVY WITH SEASONED BEEF BRISKET SLICES)”

(20) Section D-2, B, (3): For PCR-C-069 insert a new subsection (3) “(3) The product 

shall be formulated and labeled in accordance with all USDA labeling regulations and policies. 

The sleeves (or pouches, as applicable) shall be labeled with the following product name.

CHICKEN PESTO PASTA”

(21) Section D-2, B, (3): For PCR-P-045 insert a new subsection (3) “(3) The product 

shall be formulated and labeled in accordance with all USDA labeling regulations and policies. 

The sleeves (or pouches, as applicable) shall be labeled with the following product name.

PORK SAUSAGE PATTY, MAPLE FLAVORED”

(22) Section D-2, B, (3): For PCR-M-015 insert a new subsection (3) “(3) The product 

shall be formulated and labeled in accordance with all USDA labeling regulations and policies. 

The sleeves (or pouches, as applicable) shall be labeled with the following product name.

MEATBALLS IN MARINARA SAUCE”

(23) Section E-6, A (2): For PCR-M-015 insert a new subsection (2) with table and 

footnote 1/ “(2) Filled and sealed pouch testing. The filled and sealed thermoprocessed or hot-fill 

processed pouches shall be examined for the characteristics listed in table I of MIL-PRF-44073 

for Type I. The lot size, sample unit, and inspection level criteria for each of the test
17

characteristics are listed below. Any test failure shall be classified as a major defect and shall be 

cause for rejection of the lot.

Characteristic Lot size expressed in Sample unit Inspection level

Residual gas volume pouches 1 pouch S-2

Internal pressure pouches 1 pouch S-2 1/

1/ When a three-seal tester is used, a separate set of samples is required for testing of the closure 

seal.”

(24) Section E-6, A (2) Pouch examination. For PCR-M-015 renumber as E-6, A (3).

(25) Section E-6, A (3): For PCR-M-015 renumber as E-6, A (4). Delete “Examination 

of pouch and carton assembly. paragraph in its entirety and insert a new paragraph “Sleeve 

examination. The sleeves shall be examined for the defects listed in table III of MIL-PRF-44073 

for Type I. The lot size shall be expressed in units of sleeves. The sample unit shall be one 

sleeve. The inspection level shall be S-3 and the AQL, expressed in terms of defects per hundred 

units, shall be 0.65 for major defects and 2.5 for minor defects.”. 

(26) Section E-6, A, (4): Delete “Examination of pouch and carton assembly. paragraph 

in its entirety and insert a new paragraph “Sleeve examination. The sleeves shall be examined for 

the defects listed in table III of MIL-PRF-44073 for Type I. The lot size shall be expressed in 

units of sleeves. The sample unit shall be one sleeve. The inspection level shall be S-3 and the 

AQL, expressed in terms of defects per hundred units, shall be 0.65 for major defects and

2.5 for minor defects.”.

5. Natick requests the following changes to the affected FDA inspected MRE entrée 

documents: PCR-C-020A and PCR-V-010:

(1) Section D-1: Delete paragraph in its entirety and insert “Product shall be filled into 

pouches and sealed in accordance with MIL-PRF-44073, Packaging of Food in Flexible Pouches, 

Type I, Style 1.”.

(2) Section D-2, B: Delete “Cartons” and insert “Paperboard sleeves”.

(3) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete “The cartons shall be clearly printed on one of the largest 

panels with permanent black ink as follows:” and insert “The sleeves shall be clearly printed on 

one of the panels with permanent black ink as follows: 1/”.

(4) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete “Code (same as pouch code, see pouches) 1/ 2/ 3/”.

(5) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete footnote 1/ in its entirety and insert “1/ With contracting 

officer approval, this information may be printed on the pouch in lieu of the paperboard sleeve.”.

(6) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete footnote 2/ in its entirety.

(7) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete footnote 3/ in its entirety.
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(8) Section D-2, B, (2): Delete “...shall be printed on the entrée carton’s large panel 

opposite to the panel printed with the data in D-2,B(1) above. The information, provided by the 

contracting officer, shall be clearly printed with permanent black ink in an area no smaller than 

4-1/4 inches by 6-3/4 inches.” and insert “...shall be printed on the entrée sleeve’s panel opposite 

to the panel printed with the data in D-2,B(1) above, as applicable. The information, provided by 

the contracting officer, shall be clearly printed with permanent black ink in an area no smaller 

than 4 inches by 5-1/4 inches.”.

(9) Section D-2, B, (3): When paragraph is present in the document, delete second 

sentence “The cartons shall be labeled with the following product name.” and insert “The sleeves 

(or pouches, as applicable) shall be labeled with the following product name.”.

(10) Section E-6, A, (4): Delete “Examination of pouch and carton assembly. paragraph 

in its entirety and insert a new paragraph “Sleeve examination. The sleeves shall be examined for 

the defects listed in table III of MIL-PRF-44073 for Type I. The lot size shall be expressed in 

units of sleeves. The sample unit shall be one sleeve. The inspection level shall be S-3 and the 

AQL, expressed in terms of defects per hundred units, shall be 0.65 for major defects and 2.5 for 

minor defects.”.

6. Natick requests the following change to the affected FDA inspected MRE entrée document:

PKG&QAP A-A-20155D:

(1) Section D-1: Delete paragraph in its entirety and insert “Product shall be filled into 

pouches and sealed in accordance with MIL-PRF-44073, Packaging of Food in Flexible Pouches, 

Type I, Style 1.”.

7. Natick requests the following changes to affected FDA inspected MRE sides documents:

PCR-B-056, PCR-P-011A, PCR-P-048 and PCR-S-019: 

(1) Section D-1: Delete paragraph in its entirety and insert “Product shall be filled into 

pouches and sealed in accordance with MIL-PRF-44073, Packaging of Food in Flexible Pouches, 

Type I, Style 1.”.

(2) Section D-2, B: Delete “Cartons” and insert “Paperboard sleeves”.

(3) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete “The cartons shall be clearly printed on one of the largest 

panels with permanent black ink as follows:” and insert “The sleeves shall be clearly printed on 

one of the panels with permanent black ink as follows: 1/ 2/”.

(4) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete “Code (same as pouch code, see pouches) 1/ 2/ 3/”.

(5) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete footnote 1/ in its entirety and insert “1/ With contracting 

officer approval, this information may be printed on the pouch or on a separate paperboard insert 

card in lieu of the paperboard sleeve.”.

(6) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete footnote 2/ in its entirety and insert “2/ If printed on the 

sleeve, it shall be configured to fit alongside similar information for an accompanying pouched 
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product. Identity of accompanying pouched product and approval of label design shall be 

obtained from the contracting officer.”.

(7) Section D-2, B, (1): When present in the document, delete footnote 3/ in its entirety.

(8) Section D-2, B, (2): Delete paragraph in its entirety.

(9) Section D-2, B, (3): Renumber as D-2, B, (2). Second sentence, delete “...cartons...” 

and insert “...sleeves (or pouches, or insert cards, as applicable)” shall be labeled ... 

 

(10) Section E-6, A, (4): Delete “Examination of pouch and carton assembly. paragraph 

in its entirety and insert a new paragraph and footnote 1/ “Sleeve examination 1/. The sleeves 

shall be examined for the defects listed in table III of MIL-PRF-44073 for Type I. The lot size 

shall be expressed in units of sleeves. The sample unit shall be one sleeve. The inspection level

shall be S-3 the AQL, expressed in terms of defects per hundred units, shall be 0.65 for major 

defects and 2.5 for minor defects.

1/ Or separate paperboard insert card when used in lieu of the paperboard sleeve.”

8. Natick requests the following changes to affected FDA inspected MRE fruits document:

PCR-A-001B: 

(1) Section D-1: Delete paragraph in its entirety and insert “Product shall be filled into 

pouches and sealed in accordance with MIL-PRF-44073, Packaging of Food in Flexible Pouches, 

Type I, Style 1.”. 

(2) Section D-2, B: Delete “Cartons” and insert “Paperboard sleeves”.

(3) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete “The cartons shall be clearly printed on one of the largest 

panels with permanent black ink as follows:” and insert “The sleeves shall be clearly printed on 

one of the panels with permanent black ink as follows: 1/ 2/”.

(4) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete “Code (same as pouch code, see pouches) 1/ 2/ 3”.

(5) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete footnote 1/ in its entirety and insert “1/ With contracting 

officer approval, this information may be printed on the pouch or on a separate paperboard insert

card in lieu of the paperboard sleeve.”.

(6) Section D-2, B, (1): Delete footnote 2/ in its entirety and insert “2/ If printed on the 

sleeve, it shall be configured to fit alongside similar information for an accompanying pouched 

product. Identity of accompanying pouched product and approval of label design shall be 

obtained from the contracting officer.”.

(7) Section D-2, B, (1): When present in the document, delete footnote 3/ in its entirety.

(8) Section D-2, B, (2): Delete paragraph in its entirety.

(9) Section D-2, B, (3): Renumber as D-2, B, (2). Second sentence, delete “cartons” and 

insert “sleeves (or pouches, or insert cards, as applicable)” shall be labeled ... 
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(10) Section E-6, A, (4): Delete “Examination of pouch and carton assembly. paragraph 

in its entirety and insert a new paragraph and footnote 1/ “Sleeve examination 1/. The sleeves 

shall be examined for the defects listed in table III of MIL-PRF-44073 for Type I. The lot size 

shall be expressed in units of sleeves. The sample unit shall be one sleeve. The inspection level

shall be S-3 and the AQL, expressed in terms of defects per hundred units, shall be 0.65 for 

major defects and 2.5 for minor defects.

1/ Or separate paperboard insert card when used in lieu of the paperboard sleeve.”

9. Natick requests the following changes to affected FDA inspected MRE fruits document:

PCR-F-002C:

(1) Section D-1: Delete paragraph in its entirety and insert “Product shall be filled into 

pouches and sealed in accordance with MIL-PRF-44073, Packaging of Food in Flexible Pouches, 

Type I, Style 1. Applesauce shall be packaged in a side or center spout pouch.”.

(2) Section D-2, C: Delete “Cartons” and insert “Paperboard sleeves”.

(3) Section D-2, C, (1): Delete “The cartons shall be clearly printed on one of the largest 

panels with permanent black ink as follows:” and insert “The sleeves shall be clearly printed on 

one of the panels with permanent black ink as follows: 1/ 2/”.

(4) Section D-2, C, (1): Delete “Code (same as pouch code, see pouches) 1/ 2/ 3”.

(5) Section D-2, C, (1): Delete footnote 1/ in its entirety and insert “1/ With contracting 

officer approval, this information may be printed on the pouch or on a separate paperboard insert 

card in lieu of the paperboard sleeve.”.

(6) Section D-2, C, (1): Delete footnote 2/ in its entirety and insert “2/ If printed on the 

sleeve, it shall be configured to fit alongside similar information for an accompanying pouched

product. Identity of accompanying pouched product and approval of label design shall be 

obtained from the contracting officer.”.

(7) Section D-2, C, (1): Delete footnote 3/ in its entirety.

(8) Section D-2, C, (2): Delete paragraph in its entirety.

(9) Section D-2, C, (3): Renumber as D-2, C, (2). Second sentence, delete “...cartons or 

pouches” and insert “sleeves (or pouches, or insert cards, as applicable)”. 

(10) Section D-3, A: First sentence, delete “pouches in cartons” and insert “product”.

(11) Section E-6, A, (2), After E-6, A, (2) insert a new paragraph “(3) Pouch 

examination. The pouches shall be examined for the defects listed in table II of MIL-PRF-44073 

for Type I. The lot size shall be expressed in pouches. The sample unit shall be one thermal 

processed pouch. The inspection level shall be I and the AQL, expressed in terms of defects per
21

hundred units, shall be 0.65 for major A defects, 2.5 for major B defects, and 4.0 for minor 

defects. Two hundred sample units shall be examined for critical defects. The finding of any 

critical defect shall be cause for rejection of the lot.”

(12) Section E-6, A, (3): Renumber as E-6, A, (4). Delete “Examination of pouch and 

carton assembly. paragraph in its entirety and insert a new paragraph and footnote 1/ “Sleeve 

examination 1/. The sleeves shall be examined for the defects listed in table III of MIL-PRF44073 for Type I. The lot size shall be expressed in units of sleeves. The sample unit shall be one 

sleeve. The inspection level shall be S-3 and the AQL, expressed in terms of defects per hundred 

units, shall be 0.65 for major defects and 2.5 for minor defects. 

1/ Or separate paperboard insert card when used in lieu of the paperboard sleeve.”

10. Natick requests the following changes to affected FDA inspected MRE fruits document:

PCR-C-058A: 

(1) Section D-1: Delete paragraph in its entirety and insert “Product shall be filled into 

pouches and sealed in accordance with MIL-PRF-44073, Packaging of Food in Flexible Pouches, 

Type I, Style 1.”.

(2) Section D-2, B, (2): Second sentence, after “pouches” insert “or insert cards,”.

(3) Section E-6, A, (4): First sentence, after “MIL-PRF-44073” insert “for Type I”.

(4) Section E-6, A, (4): Footnote 1/, after “the” insert “paperboard”.

11. In addition, Natick requests changes to affected food product documents (as described in 

detail below) to accommodate the changes in directional tear testing that were developed and 

validated by the Combat Ration Network Program, Short Term Project #3013, which was 

conducted in coordination with MRE suppliers and Rutgers University.

12. Changes to the affected documents are for MRE 37 and all future MRE procurements. Due 

to slight variations in the formatting within the affected documents, the requested changes below 

are grouped by similar documents with similar changes.

13. Natick requests the following changes to the affected MRE food product documents: PCRA-005, PCR-B-029A, PCR-B-021A, PCR-B-057, PCR-B-020A, PCR-B-054, PCR-C-020A, 

PCR-C-021A, PCR-C-027A, PCR-M-016, PCR-S-018, PCR-S-002, PCR-H-012A, PCR-V-010, 

PCR-B-056, PCR-P-011A, PCR-P-048, PCR-S-019, PCR-A-001B and PCR-C-058A:

(1) Section E-6, A (1): After “High temperature” entry, insert Directional tear table entry 

as follows: “Directional tear; pouches; 1 pouch; S-3”.

(2) Section E-6, A, (2): After “Internal Pressure” entry, delete entire “Directional tear” 

table entry.

14. Natick requests the following changes to the affected MRE food product documents: PCRF-002C, PKG&QAP A-A-20155D and PKG&QAP A-A-20352B:
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(1) Section E-6, A (1): After “High temperature” entry, insert Directional tear table entry 

as follows: “Directional tear, when applicable; pouches; 1 pouch; S-3”.

(2) Section E-6, A, (2): After “Internal Pressure” entry, delete entire “Directional tear” 

table entry.

15. Natick requests the following changes to the affected MRE food product document: PCR-M015:

(1) Section E-6, A (1): After “Thermal processing” entry, delete “Environmental 

conditions” entry and insert the following three entries as follows: “Low temperature; pouches; 

1 pouch; S-2”; “High temperature; pouches; 1 pouch; S-2”; and “Directional tear; pouches; 1 

pouch; S-3”.

16. Natick requests the following changes to affected MRE food product document: PCR-C069:

(1) Section E-6, A (1): After “High temperature” entry, insert Directional tear table entry 

as follows: “Directional tear; pouches; 1 pouch; S-3”.

(2) Section E-6, A, (2): After “Internal Pressure” entry, delete the following entry: 

“Sterility; pouches; 1 pouch; S-2 2/”.

17. Natick requests the following changes to affected MRE food product documents: PCR-B050 and PCR-P-045:

(1) Section E-6, A (1): After “High temperature” entry, insert Directional tear table entry 

as follows: “Directional tear; pouches; 1 pouch; S-3”.

(2) Section E-6, A, (2): After “Internal Pressure” entry, delete the following two entries: 

“Sterility; pouches; 1 pouch; S-2 2/” and “Directional tear; pouches; 1 pouch; S-2”.

(3) Section E-6, A, (2): Delete entire footnote “2/ Select a minimum of one pouch from 

each retort load. Select pouches from different areas within the retort. For a continuous cooking 

process, an inspection level of S-3 shall be used to establish sample size.”

18. Natick also requests the following changes to MIL-PRF-44073G, Packaging of Food in 

Flexible Pouches:

(1) Section 4.2 Performance characteristics testing., Table I, Footnote 1/. After “pouch 

configurations and dimensions,” add “directional tear,”.

(2) Section 4.4 Examination of pouch and sleeve (or insert card), Table III. Pouch and 

sleeve (or insert card) defects, Major defect 102, after “clean.” delete footnote “ 1/”.
23

(3) Section 4.5.4 Directional tear test. Delete paragraph in its entirety and insert “Pouches 

that have been designed to be opened lengthwise shall be tested for directional tear performance. 

Samples shall be randomly drawn from each production lot and tested for minimum width 

remaining after tearing. The samples shall be divided into two groups of equal numbers. For 

each group, the directional tear test shall be initiated from the opposing pouch end. The test may

be performed on empty pouches that have not been retorted. If the path of the resultant pouch 

tear line reduces the short side width of the remaining opened pouch to less than 3-1/2 inches

when measured from the outer edge of the pouch at any point along the tear line, it shall be 

considered a test failure and shall be cause for rejection of the lot.”

(4) Section 6.6 Directional tear tester. After Section 6.5.1 Type II Sleeve design and 

material. insert a new paragraph “Section 6.6 Directional tear tester. It has been found that a 

Directional Tear Tester developed under the Defense Logistics Agency Combat Ration Network 

Program, Short Term Project #3013, meets the performance criteria of this specification. With 

this apparatus, the pouch lays on a horizontal surface and is oriented with one short side of the 

pouch against a backstop. The tear notch is positioned between the two grippers. The test stand 

has a linear air slide that rotates the gripper that grips the pouch above the tear notch, initiates the 

tear, and then pulls the gripper straight across in a parallel line to the opposite short side seal, 

while maintaining the pouch position on the supported surface by the second gripper.”

(5) Section 6.6 Subject term (key word) listing. Renumber as Section 6.7.

(6) Section 6.7 Changes from previous issue. Renumber as Section 6.8.

19. The following documents with Changes highlighted and dated 28 March 2016 are attached:

USDA inspected MRE entrée documents: Change 01, PCR-A-005, Asian Style Beef Strips 

with Vegetables, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 01 PCR-B-029A, Beef 

Patty, Grilled, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 01, PCR-B-021A, Beef 

Ravioli in Meat Sauce, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 01, PCR-B-057, 

Beef Shredded, in Barbecue Sauce, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 01, 

PCR-B-020A, Beef Stew, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 01, PCR-B-054 

Beef Taco, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 01, PCR-C-069, Chicken Pesto 

Pasta, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 01, PCR-P-021A, Chicken, Egg 

Noodles, and Vegetables, in Sauce, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 01, 

PCR-C-027A, Chili and Macaroni, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 01, PCRM-015 Meatballs in Marinara Sauce, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 01, 

PCR-M-016, Mexican Style Chicken Stew, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 

01, PCR-P-045, Pork Sausage Patty, Maple Flavored, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf 

Stable; Change 01, PCR-S-018, Southwest Style Beef and Black Beans with Sauce, Packaged in 

a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 01, PCR-S-002, Spaghetti with Beef and Sauce, 

Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 03, PCR-B-050, Brisket Entrée (Gravy with 

Seasoned Beef Brisket Slices), Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 03, 

PKG&QAP A-A-20352B Chicken Chunks, White Cooked, Canned or in Flexible Pouches; 

Change 01, Hash Brown Potatoes with Bacon, Peppers and Onions, Packaged in a Flexible 

Pouch, Shelf Stable; FDA inspected MRE entrée documents: Change 01, PCR-P-020A, 
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Cheese Tortellini in Tomato Sauce, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 01, 

PKG&QAP A-A-20155D Tuna; Change 01, PCR-V-010, Vegetable Crumbles with Pasta in 

Taco Style Sauce, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; FDA inspected MRE sides 

documents: Change 01, PCR-B-056, Black Beans in a Seasoned Sauce, Packaged in a Flexible 

Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 01, PCR-P-048, Potatoes Au Gratin; Change 01, PCR-P-011A 

Potatoes, Mashed; Change 01, PCR-S-019 Santa Fe Style Rice and Beans, Packaged in a 

Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; FDA inspected MRE fruits documents: Change 01, PCR-A001B, Apple Pieces in Spiced Sauce, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 01, 

PCR-C-058A, Cobbler, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable; Change 02, PCR-F-002C 

Fruits, Wet Pack, Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable and Change 06, MIL-PRF-44073G, 

Packaging of Food in Flexible Pouches.