ACR-M-001A

3 June 2008

Superseding

ACR-M-001

9 July 1999

W/CHANGE 06 9 October 2012

1

SECTION C

C-1 ITEM DESCRIPTION

ACR-M-001A, Meal Cold Weather/Food Packet Long Range Patrol, Combined Ration, 

Assembly Requirements

The Meal, Cold Weather/Food Packet, Long Range Patrol provides an operational ration for 

two separate operational scenarios. The Meal, Cold Weather (MCW) is intended for cold 

weather feeding, it will not freeze and supplies extra drink mixes for countering dehydration 

during cold weather activities. It can be issued at three per day for complete cold weather 

ration. The Food Packet, Long Range Patrol (LRP) is a restricted calorie ration meant for 

special operations, where re-supply is not available and weight and volume are critical 

factors. It is issued at one per soldier per day for up to ten days. The combined product 

assembly consists of twelve meals or packets per shipping container.

C-2 ASSEMBLY REQUIREMENTS

 A. Components.

(1) Menu components. The components for menu assembly shall be as specified in 

Table I. Packaging of components shall be in a tan material, as appropriate, and as cited in 

the component document.

TABLE I. Components

Component Reference Menu

Entrees

Beef Stew PCR-B-015 7

Beef Stroganoff with Noodles PCR-B-016 2

Chicken and Rice PCR-C-025 5

Chicken, Spicy Oriental with Rice PCR-C-026 1

Chili Macaroni with Beef PCR-C-073 3
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TABLE I. Components (cont’d)

Component Reference Menu

Egg, Scrambled

 Scrambled Eggs and Bacon Pieces

 Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Western Style

PCR-E-001

 Type II

 Type III

11

10, 12

Rice and Chicken, Mexican Style PCR-R-011 9

Seafood Chowder PCR-S-017 6

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce PCR-S-008 8

Turkey Tetrazzini PCR-T-002 4

Starches

Cereals, Rolled Oats, Instant, Apples and 

 Cinnamon, Maple and Brown Sugar,

 Cinnamon and Spice, or Strawberries 

 and Cream, Regular

A-A-20090 E, Type III

 Flavor B, C, E or F,

 Style 1

11, 12 

1/

Granola, with Milk and Blueberries PCR-G-003, Type I 10

Snacks and Candy

Cakes and Brownies, and Muffin Tops

 Cakes or Brownies

PCR-C-007C

 Type I or II, All Flavors

7 1/

Candy and Chocolate Confections

 Pan Coated Candy

 Disks, Chocolate, Plain

 Oval/Round, Chocolate with Peanuts

 Starch Jelly Candy,

A-A-20177D, Pack. A or B

 Type VI

 Shape A, Flavor 1

 Shape B, Flavor 1

 Type VIII

8

3

2, 12

Cheese Spread, Cheddar, Plain, with 

 Jalapeno Peppers, or with Bacon

PCR-C-039, Type I, II, or III 3, 4 1/

Chocolate Sports Bar, Chocolate PCR-C-004A, Flavor I 2, 10

Cookies, Regular, Fig Bar, Soft and

 Chewy, Individual Serving

A-A-20295C, Type I, Style 

P, Bake Type b, Class 1,

1, 11

Cookies, Regular, Shortbread, Plain,

 Crisp, Individual Serving

A-A-20295C, Type I, Style 

A

Flav 1, Bake Type a, Class 1

1, 6, 9

Cookies, Oatmeal, and Brownies,

 Chocolate Covered, Cookie

MIL-C-44072C, Type II 5, 7

Comment [EP1]: ES12-062 (DSCP-SS-12-

84452), change 06, 9 Oct 12 - p. 2, C-2, A(1). 

TABLE I. Components, - Continued, delete “Starch 

Jelly Candy, Type VIII, Menus 2, 12”

Comment [EP2]: Follow-up to ES12-032 

(DSCP-SS-12-85704), change 06, 9 Oct 12 - p. 2, C2, A(1). TABLE I. Components, - Continued, under 

“Cookies, Regular, Shortbread, Plain, Crisp, 

Individuel Serving, A-A-20295C, Type I, Style A”, 

insert Menu “1,” before Menus 6, 9
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TABLE I. Components (cont’d)

Component Reference Menu

Crackers, Fortified, Plain or Vegetable PCR-C-037, Type I or II 3, 4, 6,

8 1/

Dessert Bar,

 Mocha

 Chocolate Banana Nut

PCR-D-004

 Flavor I

 Flavor III

4

9

First StrikeTM Bar

 Cran-Raspberry, Regular

PCR-F-001

 Flavor III, Style A

5

Fruits, Osmotically Dried

 Sliced Cranberries, Not Fortified

A-A-20299A

 Type VII, Fortification a

2, 9

Ice Cream Sandwich, Freeze Dehydrated

 Cookies and Cream

PCR-I-002

 Flavor I

1

Nut and Fruit Mix

 Nut and Raisin Mix

 Nuts with Raw Sunflower Kernels, Infused 

Fruit

PCR-N-003

 Type I

 Type III

8, 11

2, 6

Nuts, Shelled, Roasted

 Almonds (Unblanched), Flavored (Smoked)

A-A-20164C

 Type IX, Style A

6, 9, 12

Peanut Butter and Peanut Spread

 Peanut Spread, Regular, Smooth, Stabilized,

 Chocolate, Fortified

A-A-20328A, Style II

 Class A, Texture 1, Type a

 Flavor 2, Fortification b

8

Snack Foods

 Filled Pretzels, Cheddar or Nacho Cheese

 Toasted Corn Kernels, Plain, Salted

A-A-20195C

 Type II, Style F, Flavor 1, 

2

 Type VI, Flavor 1 

10 1/

3, 5, 7

Toaster Pastries, Shelf Stable, Regular

 Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Not Fortified, 

Rectangular, Single Serving

A-A-20211B, Type I, 

Style B, Flavor 3, Fort. a b, 

Shape I, Servings (a)

12

Comment [EP3]: ES12-062(DSCP-SS-12-

84452), change 06 , 9 Oct 12 - p. 3, C-2, A(1). 

TABLE I. Components, - Continued, under “Fruits, 

Osmotically Dried, A-A-20299A,” insert Menu “2,” 

before Menu 9 

Comment [EP4]: Follow-up to ES12-032(DSCPSS-12-85704), change 06, 9 Oct 12 - p. 3, C-2, 

A(1). TABLE I. Components, - Continued, delete 

“Ice Cream Sandwich, Freeze Dehydrated, Cookies 

and Cream, PCR-I-002, Flavor I, Menu 1” 

Comment [EP5]: ES12-062(DSCP-SS-12-

84452), change 06, 9 Oct 12 - p. 3, C-2, A(1). 

TABLE I. Components, - Continued, under “Nuts, 

Shelled, Roasted, Almonds (Unblanched), Flavored 

(Smoked), A-A-20164C, Type IX, Style A”, insert 

Menu “, 12” after Menus 6, 9
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TABLE I. Components (cont’d)

Component Reference Menu

Beverages

Beverage Base, Powdered

 Sweetened with Nutritive Sweetener,

 Flat interlocking closure pouch

 Orange, Fortified with Vitamin Premix

 Lemon, Lime, Lemon-Lime, Grape or Cherry

 Fortified with Ascorbic Acid and Enhanced

 With Maltodextrin

A-A-20098D

 Type II

 Design B

 Flavor 1, Formulation c

 Flavor 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6

 Formulation d

4,10,11

1, 2, 6, 

7, 9 1/

Beverage Base, Powdered

 Sweetened with Non-Nutritive Sweetener

 Lap or Fin Seal Pouch

 Lemonade or Raspberry, Not fortified

A-A-20098D

 Type III

 Design D

 Flavor 8 or 13, Formulat. a

8

Cocoa Beverage Powder, Fortified

 Flat Interlocking Closure Pouch

PCR-C-041

 Design B

10, 11

Dairyshake Powder, Fortified with Calcium and

 Vitamin D, 100 grams

 Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry or

 Strawberry Banana

 Flat Interlocking Closure Pouch

PCR-D-002A

 Flavors I, II, III or IV

 Design B

1, 12

 1/

Drink Mixes, Coffee (Unflavored and Flavored),

 Flavored Instant Cappuccino, Regular, French

 Vanilla, Mocha or Irish Cream

 Flat Interlocking Closure Pouch

A-A-20336A, Type V, 

 Style A,

 Flavors 1, 2 or 4

 Design B

3, 4, 5 

1/

Other

Fork, Knife and Spoon, Picnic, Plastic, High

 Impact, Spoon, MRE, 7-inch, Brown

A-A-3109B, Type IV,

 Item 13

All

1/ An equal quantity of at least three flavors of oatmeal (menus 11, 12), three flavors of cakes 

(menu 7), two flavors of cheese (menus 3, 4), two flavors of crackers (menus 3, 4, 6), two 

flavors of filled pretzels (menu 10), three flavors of beverage base, carbohydrate fortified

(menus 1, 2, 6, 7, 9), two flavors of dairyshake (menus 1, 12), and two flavors of cappuccino 

(menus 3, 4, 5) will be procured and distributed in as uniform a manner as possible.
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(2) Accessory packet components. The components for the accessory packet 

assembly shall be as specified in Table II.

TABLE II. Accessory Packet Components

Component Reference Packet

Coffee, Instant, Freeze Dried, Regular A-A-20184B, Type III, Style A All

Creamer, Non-Dairy, Dry A-A-20043B All

Sugar, White, Granulated A-A-20135C, Type I, Style A, 1/7 oz. All

Chewing Gum, Tablet, Regular

 Without Caffeine, Sugarfree

 Peppermint or Cinnamon 1/

A-A-20175C, Type I, Size B

 Style (1), Class 3

 Flavor a or c

All

Hot Sauce, Extra Hot 4x A-A-20097E, Type II, 1/8 fl. oz. All 2/

Salt, Iodized Sodium Chloride Monograph, 4 gram LRP

Hand Cleaner (Pre-Moistened Towelette) A-A-461B, Type II All

Toilet Tissue

 2 Packets

 1 Packet

A-A-59594, Style I, Type A,

 Class 1, Size a LRP

MCW

Matches, Paper, 20 Splint Book A-A-59489A, Type I, Class B All

1/ Flavors shall be procured in equal quantities and assembled in a uniform distribution.

2/ Alternatively, hot sauce may be packed loose in the meal bag.
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(3) Menu contents. The menu contents shall be as specified in Table III.

TABLE III. Menu Contents

Menu #1

Spicy Oriental Chicken with Rice

Fig Bar

Ice Cream Sandwich Shortbread Cookies

Dairyshake 1/

Beverage, carbo fortified (formul. d) 1/

Accessory Pack

Spoon

Menu #2

Beef Stroganoff with Noodles

Chocolate Sports Bar

Starch Jelly Candy Dried Cranberries

Nut and Fruit Mix, Type III

Beverage, carbo fortified (formul. d) 1/

Accessory Pack

Spoon

Menu #3

Chili Macaroni

Crackers 1/

Cheese Spread 1/

Toasted Corn Kernels

Chocolate Peanut Pan Coated Disks

Cappuccino 1/

Accessory Pack

Spoon

Menu #4

Turkey Tetrazzini

Dessert Bar, Mocha

Crackers 1/

Cheese Spread 1/

Beverage Base, Orange (formul. c)

Cappuccino 1/

Accessory Pack

Spoon

Menu #5

Chicken & Rice

Chocolate Covered Cookies

Toasted Corn Kernels

First StrikeTM Bar, Cran-Raspberry

Cappuccino 1/

Accessory Pack

Spoon

Menu #6

Seafood Chowder

Shortbread Cookies

Smoked Almonds

Nut and Fruit Mix, Type III

Crackers 1/

Beverage, carbo fortified (formul. d) 1/

Accessory Pack

Spoon

Comment [EP6]: Follow-up to ES12-032(DSCPSS-12-85704), change 06, 9 Oct 12 - . p. 6, C-2, 

A(3). TABLE III. Menu Contents, delete “Ice Cream 

Sandwich”; insert “Shortbread Cookies” 

Comment [EP7]: ES12-062(DSCP-SS-12-

84452), change 06, 9 Oct 12 - p. 6, C-2, A(3). 

TABLE III. Menu Contents, delete “Starch Jelly 

Candy”; insert “Dried Cranberries”
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TABLE III. Menu Contents (cont’d)

Menu #7

Beef Stew

Cake 1/

Toasted Corn Kernels

Chocolate Covered Cookies

Beverage, carbo fortified (formul. d) 1/

Accessory Pack

Spoon

Menu #8

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

Nut and Fruit Mix, Type I

Chocolate Peanut Spread

Crackers 1/

Chocolate Disks, Pan Coated

Sugar Free Beverage

Accessory Pack

Spoon

Menu #9

Rice and Chicken, Mexican

Shortbread Cookies

Smoked Almonds

Dried Cranberries

Dessert Bar, Chocolate Banana Nut

Beverage, carbo fortified (formul. d) 1/

Accessory Pack

Spoon

Menu #10

Scrambled Eggs with Cheese,

 Western style

Granola with Blueberries

Chocolate Sports Bar

Filled Pretzels 1/

Beverage Base, Orange (formul. c)

Cocoa Beverage Powder

Accessory Pack

Spoon

Menu #11

Scrambled Eggs with Bacon

Oatmeal, Flavored 1/

Nut and Fruit Mix, Type I

Fig Bar

Beverage Base, Orange

Cocoa Beverage Powder (formul. c)

Accessory Pack

Spoon

Menu #12

Scrambled Eggs with Cheese,

 Western Style

Oatmeal, Flavored 1/

Toaster Pastry

Starch Jelly Candy Smoked Almonds

Dairyshake 1/

Cocoa Beverage Powder

Accessory Pack

Spoon

Comment [EP8]: ES12-062 (DSCP-SS-12-

84452), change 06, 9 Oct 12 - p. 7, C-2, A(3). 

TABLE III. Menu Contents, delete “Starch Jelly 

Candy”; insert “Smoked Almonds” 
ACR-M-001A

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W/CHANGE 06 9 October 2012

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1/ An equal quantity of at least three flavors of oatmeal (menus 11, 12), three flavors of cakes 

(menu 7), two flavors of cheese (menus 3, 4), two flavors of crackers (menus 3, 4, 6), two 

flavors of filled pretzels (menu 10), three flavors of beverage base, carbohydrate fortified 

(menus 1, 2, 6, 7, 9), two flavors of dairyshake (menus 1, 12), and two flavors of cappuccino 

(menus 3, 4, 5) will be procured and distributed in as uniform a manner as possible.

SECTION D

D-1 PACKAGING

 A. Components.

(1) Components. Packaging of components shall be in a tan material, as appropriate, 

and as cited in the component document. Candy shall be overpacked in a barrier pouch.

(2) Meal bag. The meal bag shall be made from food grade, low density polyethylene 

(LDPE) tubing or tubing made from a blend of food grade, low density polyethylene (LDPE) 

and linear-low density polyethylene (LLDPE). Additives may be used in order to improve 

sealability, peelability, tear resistance or other attributes provided all additives are food grade 

and are certified by the FDA as approved for food contact. Polyethylene shall have a 

minimum thickness of 0.010 inch. Inside dimensions of the bag shall not exceed 8-1/8 x 12-

1/2 inches. The color of the bag for LRP shall conform to number 20219, 30219, 30227, 

30279, 30313, 30324 or 30450 of FED-STD-595, Colors Used in Government Procurement. 

The color of the meal bag for MCW shall conform to number 37778 to 37886 of FED-STD595. One seal shall be a minimum 1/8 inch wide, continuous, peelable seal that forms a 

hermetic closure. The seal shall be designed with an inverted “V” shaped peel indicator along 

the seal path. There shall be a minimum of 1/2 inch between the apex of the “V” and the end 

of the bag. The seal strength of the peelable seal shall be not less than 4 pounds per inch of 

width and shall be not greater than 10 pounds per inch of width. Alternative bag construction, 

bag materials, and material thicknesses may be used provided that the alternative method can 

be demonstrated to meet or exceed the requirements of this document and military abuse 

testing and controlled pest testing. Samples may be submitted to the contracting officer to be 

qualified on a case by case basis.

(3) Accessory packet. The accessory packet shall be a preformed packet or a formfill-seal packet. Dimensions shall be sufficient to contain all components. Seals shall be a 

minimum 1/8 inch wide. A tear nick, notch or serrations shall be provided to facilitate 

opening the filled and sealed pouch. The average seal strength of the packet seals shall be not 

less than 3.5 pounds per inch of width and no individual specimen shall have a seal strength 
ACR-M-001A

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W/CHANGE 06 9 October 2012

9

of less than 3.0 pounds per inch of width. As an alternative to the seal strength requirement, 

the filled and sealed packet shall exhibit no rupture or seal separation greater than 1/16 inch 

or seal separation that reduces the effective seal width to less than 1/16 inch when tested for 

internal pressure resistance as specified in E,D,(1),a. The packet shall be made from 

polymeric films or film combinations with adequate strength and thickness to contain and 

protect the components. The water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of the film shall not 

exceed 6.2 gm/m2/24hrs/90%rh/100°F when tested in accordance with ASTM F 372, 

Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Flexible Barrier Materials 

Using an Infrared Detection Technique; ASTM E 96, Standard Test Methods for Water 

Vapor Transmission of Materials or Method 3030 of FED-STD-101, Test Procedures for 

Packaging Materials. The material shall show no evidence of delamination, degradation, or 

foreign odor when heat sealed or fabricated into pouches. The exterior color of the packet 

shall be clear or tan.

(4) Time-temperature indicator (TTI) label. The TTI label shall be a 3/4 inch square, 

bull’s-eye type, pressure sensitive adhesive label. The TTI label shall have an activation 

energy (Ea) of 24–30 kcal/mole, be protected from ultraviolet radiation and have a shelf life 

of 1100 days at 80°F as pivot point.

 B. Assembly.

(1) Meal assembly. Each applicable component for each meal as described in Table 

III shall be inserted in a meal bag. The bag shall be closed with a heat seal not less than 1/8 

inch wide. The closure seal shall have an average seal strength of not less than 4 pounds per 

inch of width with no individual specimen test result less than 3 pounds per inch of width. 

The sealed meal bag shall not show any evidence of foreign odor.

(2) Accessory packet assembly. One of each applicable component as described in 

Table II shall be inserted in a packet. For a preformed packet, contents shall be inserted in the 

pouch and the pouch shall be closed with a heat seal not less than 1/8 inch wide. For a formfill-seal packet, components shall be placed in the body and the cover applied by heat sealing 

with a seal not less than 1/8 inch wide. The closure seal shall be free of foldover wrinkles or 

entrapped matter that reduces the effective seal width to less than 1/16 inch. The sealed 

accessory packets shall not show any evidence of material degradation or delamination from 

packet fabrication, forming, or heat sealing. The average seal strength of the packet seals 

shall be not less than 3.5 pounds per inch of width and no individual specimen shall have a 

seal strength of less than 3.0 pounds per inch of width. As an alternative to the seal strength 

requirement, the filled and sealed pouch shall exhibit no rupture or seal separation greater 
ACR-M-001A

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W/CHANGE 06 9 October 2012

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than 1/16 inch or seal separation that reduces the effective closure seal width to less than 1/16 

inch when tested for internal pressure resistance as specified in E,D,(1),c.

D-2 LABELING

 A. Meal bag. Each meal bag shall be printed on at least one face in dark contrasting colored 

permanent ink with the information contained in Figures 1 and 2.

 B. Accessory packet. Accessory packet, if not of clear material, shall be printed on one side 

in dark contrasting colored permanent ink:

ACCESSORY PACKET

D-3 PACKING

 A. Packing. Twelve meals shall be packed in a fiberboard box. The fiberboard box shall 

conform to RSC-L of ASTM D 5118/D 5118M, Standard Practice for Fabrication of 

Fiberboard Shipping Boxes and grade V2s of ASTM D 4727/D 4727M Standard 

Specification for Corrugated and Solid Fiberboard Sheet Stock (Container Grade) and Cut 

Shapes, except the requirements for dry burst strength shall be minimum 425 psi, the 

requirement for wet burst strength shall be minimum 250 psi and the laminated board 

thickness shall be 0.069 inches. [The U.S. Army Research, Development & Engineering 

Command, Natick Soldier Center has found that solid fiberboard shipping container material 

consisting of two outer facings of 90 pound wet strength linerboard and an inner ply of 69# 

linerboard meets the performance criteria of this specification.] The box liner shall be a full 

inside width box liner fabricated from grade W5c fiberboard in accordance with ASTM D 

5118/D 5118M, except the terminal ends of the liner shall overlap a minimum of 2 inches 

and no fastening of the overlap is required. The box shall be closed in accordance with 

closure method 2A1 of ASTM D 1974, Standard Practice for Methods of Closing, Sealing, 

and Reinforcing Fiberboard Boxes; except the gap between the outer flaps shall be not more 

the 3/4 inch wide. Each box shall be reinforced with two girthwise nonmetallic straps. The 

inside dimensions of the box shall be 16-11/16 inches in length, 9-1/8 inches in width and 

10-1/4 inches in depth.
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D-4 UNITIZATION

 A. Unit loads. Forty-eight boxes shall be arranged in unit loads in accordance with Type I, 

Class C of DSCP Form 3507, Loads, Unit: Preparation of Semiperishable Subsistence Items. 

At least two boxes in each tier shall be oriented to display the TTI label.

D-5 MARKING

 A. Shipping containers. Shipping containers shall be marked in accordance with DSCP 

FORM 3556, Marking Instructions for Boxes, Sacks, and Unit Loads of Perishable and 

Semiperishable Subsistence and as specified in the contract with the following exceptions:

(1) Identification markings normally placed on an end of the shipping container shall 

read from top to bottom, left to right, when the shipping container is rotated from its upright 

position onto its side for palletization. The major flaps of the shipping container closure 

immediately to the right of the marked end of the shipping container shall bear the following 

marking:

Contract data and other required markings

Date of pack

Lot number

U.S. GOVERNMENT PROPERTY – COMMERCIAL RESALE IS UNLAWFUL

Time Temperature Indicator label shall be centrally positioned on the panel. A minimum 

distance (quiet zone) of 1/4 inch from the nearest identification marking shall be maintained.

(2) One side panel of shipping container shall be marked “MEAL, COLD 

WEATHER” or “FOOD PACKET, LONG RANGE PATROL” in letters not less than 1-1/4 

inches high.

 B. Unit loads. Unit loads shall be marked in accordance with DSCP FORM 3556.
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ACR-M-001A

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9 July 1999

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ACR-M-001A

3 June 2008

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9 July 1999

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14

SECTION E INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

The following quality assurance criteria, utilizing ANSI/ASQ Z1.4, Sampling Procedures and 

Tables for Inspection by Attributes, are required. Unless otherwise specified, single sampling 

plans indicated in ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 will be utilized. When required, the manufacturer shall 

provide the certificate(s) of conformance to the appropriate inspection activity. Certificate(s) 

of conformance not provided shall be cause for rejection of the lot.

 A. Definitions.

(1) Critical defect. A critical defect is a defect that judgment and experience indicate 

would result in hazardous or unsafe conditions for individuals using, maintaining, or 

depending on the item; or a defect that judgment and experience indicate is likely to prevent 

the performance of the major end item, i.e., the consumption of the ration.

(2) Major defect. A major defect is a defect, other than critical, that is likely to result 

in failure, or to reduce materially the usability of the unit of product for its intended purpose.

(3) Minor defect. A minor defect is a defect that is not likely to reduce materially the 

usability of the unit of product for its intended purpose, or is a departure from established 

standards having little bearing on the effective use or operation of the unit.

 B. Conformance inspection. Conformance inspection shall include the examinations/tests 

and the methods of inspection cited in this section.
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 C. Packaging examination.

(1) Pouch material certification. A Certificate of Compliance may be accepted as 

evidence that the characteristics listed below conform to the specified requirements.

Requirement Requirement para Test procedure

Thickness of meal bag D-1,A,(2) ASTM D 2103 1/

Color of meal bag and

accessory packet

D-1,A,(2) and

 D-1,A,(3)

Visual evaluation and 

 FED-STD-595, as applicable 2/

Water vapor transmission rate D-1,A,(3) ASTM F 372, ASTM E 96 or

 Method 3030, FED-STD-101 3/

1/ ASTM D 2103 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting

2/ FED-STD-595 Colors Used in Government Procurement

3/ ASTM E 96 Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials

ASTM F 372 Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Flexible

 Barrier Materials Using an Infrared Detection Technique

FED-STD-101 Test Procedures for Packaging Materials

(2) Accessory packet examination. The filled and sealed packets shall be examined 

for the defects listed in Table IV. The lot size shall be expressed in packets. The sample unit 

shall be one packet. The inspection level shall be S-4 and the acceptable quality level (AQL), 

expressed in terms of defects per hundred units, shall be 2.5 for major defects and 4.0 for 

minor defects.
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TABLE IV. Accessory packet defects

Category Defect

Major Minor

101 Not clean. 1/

201 Seal width less than 1/16 inch. 2/

202 Tear nick, notch or serrations missing or does not facilitate opening.

203 Tear or hole or open seal.

204 Evidence of delamination, when applicable.

205 Labeling, when applicable, missing or incorrect or illegible.

206 Missing or unserviceable component.

207 Plastic shrink film missing from around screw cap of hot sauce bottle 

or hot sauce bottle leaking, as applicable.

208 Foreign odor.

1/ Outer packaging shall be free from foreign matter, which is unwholesome, has the 

potential to cause package damage (for example, glass, metal fillings, etc.), or generally 

detracts from the clean appearance of the package. The following examples shall not be 

scored as defects for unclean:

 a. Foreign matter which presents no health hazard or potential package damage and 

which can be readily removed by gently shaking the package or by gently brushing the 

package with a clean dry cloth.

 b. Localized dried product which affects less than 1/8 of the total surface area of 

one pouch face, or an aggregate of scattered dried product which affects less than 1/4 of the 

total surface area of one pouch face. 

2/ An effective seal is defined as any uncontaminated, fusion bonded, continuous path, 

minimum 1/16 inch wide, producing a hermetically sealed pouch.
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(3) Assembled meal bag examination. The filled and sealed meal bags shall be 

externally inspected and then opened and the components inspected for the defects listed in 

Table V. The lot size shall be expressed in bags. The sample unit shall be one bag. The 

inspection level shall be S-4 and the AQL, expressed in terms of defects per hundred units, 

shall be 2.5 for major defects and 4.0 for minor defects. A minimum of 50 samples shall be 

examined for critical defects. The finding of any critical defect shall be cause for rejection of 

the lot. The inspection sample shall contain a proportionate amount of each of the meals.

TABLE V. Assembled meal bag defects

Category Defect

Critical Major Minor

1 Tear or hole or puncture in cheese spread.

2 Swollen cheese spread pouch.

101 Menu component missing or incorrect assortment for menu 

package. 1/

102 Not clean, the meal bag or any of the outer packaging of its 

contents. 2/

103 Foreign odor.

104 Labeling missing or incorrect or illegible.

106 Loss of vacuum in vacuum packaged components. 3/

107 Crushed or broken component. 4/

108 Broken spoon.

109 Tear or hole or open seal in component packages.

110 Candy not in barrier pouch.

111 Swollen peanut butter pouch.
ACR-M-001A

3 June 2008

Superseding

ACR-M-001

9 July 1999

W/CHANGE 06 9 October 2012

18

TABLE V. Assembled meal bag defects (cont’d)

Category Defect

Critical Major Minor

201 Tear or hole or open seal in meal bag.

202 Tear or hole or open seal in accessory packet bag.

203 Inverted "V" shaped peel indicator missing or not located as 

specified.

205 Plastic shrink film missing from around screw cap of hot 

sauce bottle or hot sauce bottle leaking, as applicable.

206 Labeling graphics of meal bag not correct.

1/ A missing entrée shall be cause for rejection of the lot.

2/ Outer packaging shall be free from foreign matter, which is unwholesome, has the 

potential to cause package damage (i.e. glass, metal filings, etc.), or generally detracts from 

the clean appearance of the package. The following examples shall not be scored as defects 

for unclean:

 a. Foreign matter which presents no health hazard or potential package damage and 

which can be readily removed by gently shaking the package or by gently brushing the 

package with a clean dry cloth.

 b. Localized dried product which affects less than 1/8 of the total surface area of 

one pouch face, or an aggregate of scattered dried product which affects less than 1/4 of the 

total surface area of one pouch face. 

3/ When vacuum retention cannot be determined visually by obvious cling of the bag walls 

to the contents, retention shall be verified by testing as specified in the Packaging 

Requirements and Quality Assurance Provisions for Dehydrated Product in a Brickpack 

Pouch.

4/ For definition of crushed or broken, refer to applicable component document.
ACR-M-001A

3 June 2008

Superseding

ACR-M-001

9 July 1999

W/CHANGE 06 9 October 2012

19

 D. Methods of inspection.

(1) Seal testing. The pouch seals shall be tested for seal strength or internal pressure 

resistance as required in a, b, c, or d, as applicable.

 a. Unfilled preformed accessory packet pouch. The seals of the unfilled preformed 

pouches for the accessory packet shall be tested for seal strength in accordance with ASTM F 

88, Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier Materials. The lot size shall be expressed in pouches. 

The sample unit shall be one pouch. The inspection shall be level S-1 and the AQL, 

expressed in defects per hundred units, shall be 10.0. Three specimens shall be cut from each 

of the three sealed sides of each pouch in the sample. The average seal strength of any side 

shall be calculated by averaging the results of the three specimens cut from that side. Any 

test specimen failing to meet a seal strength of 3 pounds per inch of width shall be scored as 

a major defect. Any average seal strength of less than 3.5 pounds per inch of width shall be 

cause for rejection of the lot. Alternatively, the internal pressure resistance shall be 

determined by pressurizing the pouches while they are restrained between two rigid plates. 

The sample size shall be the number of pouches indicated by inspection level S-1. If a three 

seal tester (one that pressurizes the pouch through an open end) is used, the closure seal shall 

be cut off for testing the side and bottom seals of the pouch. For testing the closure seal, the 

bottom seal shall be cut off. The pouches shall be emptied prior to testing. If a four-seal tester 

(designed to pressurize filled pouches by use of a hypodermic needle through the pouch wall) 

is used, all four seals can be tested simultaneously. The distance between rigid restraining 

plates on the four-seal tester shall be equal to the thickness of the product +1/16 inch. 

Pressure shall be applied at the approximate uniform rate of 1 pound per square inch gage 

(psig) per second until 14 psig pressure is reached. The 14 psig pressure shall be held 

constant for 30 seconds and then released. The pouches shall then be examined for separation 

or yield of the heat seals. Any rupture of the pouch or evidence of seal separation greater than 

1/16 inch in the pouch manufacturer’s seal shall be considered a test failure. Any seal 

separation that reduces the effective closure seal width to less than 1/16 inch (see table IV, 

footnote 2/) shall be considered a test failure. Any test failure shall be cause for rejection of 

the lot.

 b. Unfilled meal bag. The seals of the unfilled meal bags shall be tested for seal 

strength in accordance with ASTM F 88. The lot size shall be expressed in bags. The sample 

unit shall be one bag. The sample size shall be the number of bags indicated by inspection 

level S-1. Three specimens shall be cut from the sealed end of each bag in the sample. 

Samples shall not be taken from the inverted “V” peel initiation. Any specimen with a seal 

strength less than 4 pounds per inch of width or greater than 10 pounds per inch of width 

shall be cause for rejection of the lot.
ACR-M-001A

3 June 2008

Superseding

ACR-M-001

9 July 1999

W/CHANGE 06 9 October 2012

20

 c. Accessory packet pouch closure. The closure seals of the pouches for the 

accessory packet shall be tested for seal strength in accordance with ASTM F 88. The lot size 

shall be expressed in pouches. The sample unit shall be one pouch. The inspection level shall 

be S-1 and the AQL, expressed in defects per hundred units, shall be 10.0. For the closure 

seal on preformed pouches, three adjacent specimens shall be cut from the closure seal of 

each pouch in the sample. For the form-fill-seal pouches, three specimens shall be cut from 

each side and each end of each pouch in the sample. The average seal strength of any side, 

end or closure shall be calculated by averaging the three specimens cut from that side, end or 

closure. Any test specimen failing to meet a seal strength of 3 pounds per inch of width shall 

be scored as a major defect. Any average seal strength of less than 3.5 pounds per inch of 

width shall be cause for rejection of the lot. Alternatively, the internal pressure resistance 

shall be determined by pressurizing the pouches while they are restrained between two rigid 

plates. The sample size shall be the number of pouches indicated by inspection level S-1. If a 

three seal tester (one that pressurizes the pouch through an open end) is used, the closure seal 

shall be cut off for testing the side and bottom seals of the pouch. For testing the closure seal, 

the bottom seal shall be cut off. The pouches shall be emptied prior to testing. If a four-seal 

tester (designed to pressurize filled pouches by use of a hypodermic needle through the 

pouch wall) is used, all four seals can be tested simultaneously. The distance between rigid 

restraining plates on the four-seal tester shall be equal to the thickness of the product +1/16 

inch. Pressure shall be applied at the approximate uniform rate of 1 pound per square inch 

gage (psig) per second until 14 psig pressure is reached. The 14 psig pressure shall be held 

constant for 30 seconds and then released. The pouches shall then be examined for separation 

or yield of the heat seals. Any rupture of the pouch or evidence of seal separation greater than 

1/16 inch in the pouch manufacturer’s seal shall be considered a test failure. Any seal 

separation that reduces the effective closure seal width to less than 1/16 inch (see table IV, 

footnote 2/) shall be considered a test failure. Any test failure shall be cause for rejection of 

the lot.

 d. Meal bag closure. The closure seals of the meal bags shall be tested for seal 

strength in accordance with ASTM F 88. The lot size shall be expressed in bags. The sample 

unit shall be one bag. The sample size shall be the number of bags indicated by inspection 

level S-1. Three specimens shall be cut from the closure seal of each bag in the sample. The 

average seal strength shall be calculated by averaging the three test specimens cut from that 

seal (the sample unit). Any test specimen result less than 3 pounds per inch of width shall be 

cause for rejection of the lot. Any average seal strength of less than 4 pounds per inch of 

width shall be cause for rejection of the lot.
ACR-M-001A

3 June 2008

Superseding

ACR-M-001

9 July 1999

W/CHANGE 06 9 October 2012

21

(2) Unfilled meal bag and unfilled preformed accessory packet pouch seal 

certification. A certificate of conformance may be accepted as evidence that unfilled bags or 

pouches conform to the seal strength requirements specified in D-1,A,(2) and (3). When 

deemed necessary, seal testing of the unfilled bags or pouches shall be as specified in 

E,D,(1), a and b.

 E. Packing.

(1) Shipping container examination. The filled and closed shipping container shall be 

examined for the defects listed in Table VI. The lot size shall be expressed in shipping 

containers. The sample unit shall be one shipping container fully packed. The inspection 

level shall be S-3 and the AQL, expressed in terms of defects per hundred units, shall be 4.0 

for major defects and 10.0 for total defects.

TABLE VI. Shipping container defects

Category Defect

Major Minor

101 Marking missing or incorrect or illegible.

102 Outer flaps do not completely meet, leaving an opening greater than 

3/4 inch between flap ends.

103 Inadequate workmanship. 1/

104 Missing meal. 2/

105 Not one of each menu specified.

201 Meal bag graphics do not coincide with specified design.

202 Time-temperature indicator missing or not located as specified.

1/ Inadequate workmanship is defined as, but not limited to, incomplete closure of container 

flaps, loose strapping, inadequate stapling, improper taping, or bulged or distorted container.

2/ Each missing meal is a defect.
ACR-M-001A

3 June 2008

Superseding

ACR-M-001

9 July 1999

W/CHANGE 06 9 October 2012

22

(2) Flap closure testing. The lot size shall be expressed in shipping containers. The 

sample unit shall be one shipping container. The inspection level shall be S-2 and the AQL, 

expressed in terms of defects per hundred units, shall be 4.0. The closure of the four outer 

flaps of the container shall be tested separately. A 90 degree angular bar with each leg 

approximately 5 inches long by 3 inches wide by 1/8 inch thick shall be used to test the flap 

closures. Insert one leg of the angular bar full length under the center of one outer flap. 

Insertion shall be made through the open slot between the outer flaps. Lift the container 

vertically by the other leg of the bar until the container is suspended. The complete upper 

surface of the inserted leg shall be in contact with the inner surface of the flap during the 

lifting and suspension of the container. Complete separation of the adhesive bond of one or 

more of the outer flaps, showing no evidence of fiber tear, shall be scored as a major defect.

 F. Unit load examination. The unit load shall be examined in accordance with the 

requirements of DSCP FORM 3507. Any nonconformance shall be classified as a major 

defect.
ACR-M-001A

3 June 2008

Superseding

ACR-M-001

9 July 1999

W/CHANGE 06 9 October 2012

23

SECTION J REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

Unless otherwise specified, the issues of these documents are those active on the date of the 

solicitation or contract.

DSCP FORMS

DSCP FORM 3507 Loads, Unit: Preparation of Semiperishable Subsistence Item

DSCP FORM 3556 Marking Instructions for Shipping Cases, Sacks, and Unit

Loads of Perishable and Semiperishable Subsistence

FEDERAL STANDARD

FED-STD-101 Test Procedures for Packaging Materials

FED-STD-595 Colors Used in Government Procurement

NON-GOVERNMENTAL STANDARDS

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR QUALITY CONTROL (ASQC) www.aoc.org

 ANSI/ASQ Z1. Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes

ASTM INTERNATIONAL www.astm.org

D 1974 Standard Practice for Methods of Closing, Sealing, and 

Reinforcing Fiberboard Boxes

D 2103 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting

D 4727/D 

4727M

Standard Specification for Corrugated and Solid Fiberboard 

Sheet Stock (Container Grade) and Cut Shape

D 5118/D 

5118M

Standard Practice for Fabrication of Fiberboard Shipping 

Boxes 

E 96/E 96M Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of 

Materials

F 88 Standard Test Method for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier 

Materials

F 372 Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate of 

Flexible Barrier Materials Using an Infrared Detection 

Technique

AOAC INTERNATIONAL www.aoac.org

Official Methods of Analysis of the AOAC International
ACR-M-001A

3 June 2008

Superseding

ACR-M-001

9 July 1999

W/CHANGE 06 9 October 2012

24

For DLA Website Posting

RDNS-CFF 9 October 2012

TO: DLA-FTRE

SUBJECT: ES12-062 (DSCP-SS-12-84452); Substitution request and Document changes; 

ACR-M-001A, Meal Cold Weather/Food Packet Long Range Patrol, Combined Ration, 

Assembly Requirements; find substitute for Candy and Chocolate Confections, Type VIII, 

Starch Jelly Candy, PKG&QAP A-A-20177E, in Menus 2 and 12; Contract SPM3S1-10-DZ103, Vendor

Date received: 20 September 2012

Date due: 20 October 2012

Date replied: 9 October 2012

1. Natick received an Engineering Support Case from DLA Troop Support requesting a 

substitution for Starch Jelly Candy for use in the Meal, Cold Weather and Food Packet, Long 

Range Patrol (MCW/LRP).

2. Vendor has been unable to source a domestic Starch Jelly Candy for use in the MCW/LRP. 

The Ferrara Candy Company previously supplied the Starch Jelly Candy, aka “Chuckles” to 

Vendor, but has since moved the production of Chuckles to Mexico. Ferrara Candy 

Company, based out of Mexico, is not on the Veterinary Commands approved establishment 

list for the Military.

3. Natick recommends that Dried Cranberries replace the Starch Jelly Candy in Menu 2 and 

that Smoked Almonds replace the Starch Jelly Candy in Menu 12 of ACR-M-001A. Natick 

submits the following changes to ACR-M-001A, Meal Cold Weather/Food Packet Long 

Range Patrol, Combined Ration, Assembly Requirements:

NOTE: Changes made to the attached Change 06, ACR-M-001A, Meal Cold Weather/Food 

Packet Long Range Patrol, Combined Ration, Assembly Requirements document, dated 9 

Oct 2012 also includes changes made for Follow up to ES12-032 (DSCP-SS-12-85704); 

Substitution request and Document changes; ACR-M-001A, Meal Cold Weather/Food 

Packet Long Range Patrol, Combined Ration, Assembly Requirements; substitute Cookies, 

Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable, Type I, Style A, Flavor 1, Short Bread Cookies, 

PKG & QAP 20295B in Menu 1 for the Type I, Ice Cream Sandwich, Freeze Dehydrated, 
ACR-M-001A

3 June 2008

Superseding

ACR-M-001

9 July 1999

W/CHANGE 06 9 October 2012

25

Packaged in a Flexible Pouch, Shelf Stable, PCR-I-002

 a. p. 2, C-2, A(1). TABLE I. Components, - Continued, delete “Starch Jelly Candy, Type 

VIII, Menus 2, 12”

 b. p. 2, C-2, A(1). TABLE I. Components, - Continued, under “Cookies, Regular, 

Shortbread, Plain, Crisp, Individuel Serving, A-A-20295C,Type I, Style A”, insert Menu “1,” 

before Menus 6, 9

 

 c. p. 3, C-2, A(1). TABLE I. Components, - Continued, under “Fruits, Osmotically Dried, 

A-A-20299A,” insert Menu “2,” before Menu 9

d. p. 3, C-2, A(1). TABLE I. Components, - Continued, delete “Ice Cream Sandwich, Freeze 

Dehydrated, Cookies and Cream, PCR-I-002, Flavor I, Menu 1” 

e. p. 3, C-2, A(1). TABLE I. Components, - Continued, under “Nuts, Shelled, Roasted, 

Almonds (Unblanched), Flavored (Smoked), A-A-20164C, Type IX, Style A”, insert Menu 

“, 12” after Menus 6, 9

f. p. 6, C-2, A(3). TABLE III. Menu Contents, delete “Ice Cream Sandwich”; insert 

“Shortbread Cookies”

 g. p. 6, C-2, A(3). TABLE III. Menu Contents, delete “Starch Jelly Candy”; insert “Dried 

Cranberries”

 h. p. 7, C-2, A(3). TABLE III. Menu Contents, delete “Starch Jelly Candy”; insert 

“Smoked Almonds”

4. These changes will not have a negative impact on the nutritional content of the MCW/LRP 

menus. 

5. The Service Representatives were contacted and their replies were:

Army - Concurs with Natick 

Marine Corps - Concurs with Natick

6. Attached is Change 06, ACR-M-001A, Meal Cold Weather/Food Packet Long Range 

Patrol, Combined Ration, Assembly Requirements, dated 9 Oct 2012 with changes 

highlighted.