ACR-M-034

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1

SECTION C

The Meal, Ready-to-EatTM (MRETM) provides an operational ration for the individual.

C-1 ITEM DESCRIPTION

ACR-M-034, MEAL, READY-TO-EATTM (MRETM), ASSEMBLY REQUIREMENTS

C-2 ASSEMBLY REQUIREMENTS

 A. Components. The components are specified in table I.

TABLE I. Components

Component Reference

Entrées

Asian Style Beef Strips with Vegetables PCR-A-005

Beef Patty, Grilled

 Jalapeno Pepper Jack

PCR-B-029A

Flavor 2

Beef Ravioli in Meat Sauce PCR-B-021A

Beef Shredded, in Barbecue Sauce PCR-B-057

Beef Stew PCR-B-020A

Beef Taco PCR-B-054

Brisket Entrée (Gravy with Seasoned Beef Brisket Slices) PCR-B-050

Cheese Tortellini in Tomato Sauce PCR-C-020A

Chicken, Egg Noodles, and Vegetables, in Sauce PCR-C-021A

Chicken Pesto Pasta PCR-C-069

Chicken with Tomatoes and Feta Cheese PCR-C-077

Chili and Macaroni PCR-C-027A

Chili with Beans PCR-C-062

Meatballs in Marinara Sauce PCR-M-015

Mexican Style Chicken Stew PCR-M-016

Penne with Vegetable Sausage Crumbles in Spicy

 Tomato Sauce, Made with Whole Grain Penne Rigate

PCR-P-036

Type II

Pork Sausage in Cream Gravy PCR-P-047

Pork Sausage Patty, Maple Flavored PCR-P-045

Ratatouille (Mixed Vegetables and Penne) PCR-R-012

Rib Shaped Barbecue Flavor Pork Patty PCR-R-013

Southwest Style Beef and Black Beans with Sauce PCR-S-018

Spaghetti with Beef and Sauce PCR-S-002
ACR-M-034

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TABLE I. Components – Continued

Component Reference

Tuna, Flexible Pouch, Chunk, Light, Water Packed,

 Lemon Pepper, Regular (no more than 1.5 percent salt)

A-A-20155D, Type B, Form I,

Color a, Packing Media 1,

Flavor 1, Salt/Sodium Level (a)

Vegetable Crumbles with Pasta in Taco Style Sauce PCR-V-010

Starches and Soups

Black Beans in a Seasoned Sauce PCR-B-056

Cornbread PCR-C-075

Granola

 With Milk and Blueberries

 With Milk and Bananas

PCR-G-003A

Type I

Type II

Potatoes au Gratin PCR-P-048

Potatoes, Mashed, Garlic PCR-P-011A, Flavor II

Rice

 Fried Rice

PCR-R-001A

Type IV 

Santa Fe Style Rice and Beans PCR-S-019

Snack Bread, Fortified

 Wheat Snack Bread, Single and Twin Pack

 Italian Bread Sticks, Single Pack

 Multigrain Snack Bread, Single Pack

PCR-S-009D

Type I, Style A and B

Type IV, Style A

Type V, Style A

 White Wheat Snack Bread, Single Pack Type VI, Style A 

Tortillas

 Plain

 Chipotle

PCR-T-008A

Flavor 1

Flavor 2

Fruits

Apple Pieces in Spiced Sauce PCR-A-001B

Cobbler, Cherry Blueberry PCR-C-058, Flavor I

Fruits, Infused and Dried

 Sliced Cranberries, Not Fortified

 Whole Raisins, Not Fortified

A-A-20299B

Type VII, Fortification a

Type IX, Fortification a

Fruits, Wet Pack

 Pears, Sweetened, Sliced or Diced

 Mixed Fruit, Sweetened

 Applesauce, with Raspberry Puree, Sweetened, Reg.

 Applesauce, Carbohydrate Enhanced, Sweetened, Reg.

 Applesauce, with Mango and Peach Puree, Sweetened, Reg

PCR-F-002C

Type IV

Type V 

Type VI

Type VII

Type VIII
ACR-M-034

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TABLE I. Components – Continued

Component Reference

Desserts and Snacks

Beef and Turkey Snacks, Cured

 Beef, Moist Cured/Kippered, Chopped and Formed,

 Strips, Smoked

 Turkey, Moist Cured/Lactate, Natural Style,

 Nuggets, Smoked

A-A-20298B

Variety A, Type II, Style a,

 Class 1, Flavor (a)

Variety B, Type III, Style b,

 Class 4, Flavor (a)

Cakes, Brownies, Muffin Tops and Filled Cakes

 Pound Cakes

 Vanilla, trans fat free

 Lemon Poppy Seed, trans fat free

 Spice, trans fat free

 Carrot, trans fat free

 Marble, trans fat free

Brownies

 Fudge Brownie with Chocolate Drops, trans fat free

 Muffin Tops

 Chocolate Banana Nut

 Maple 

PCR-C-007F

Type I

 Flavor 1, Style 2

 Flavor 6, Style 2

 Flavor 7, Style 2

 Flavor 10, Style 2

 Flavor 11, Style 2

Type II

 Flavor 1, Style 2

Type III

 Flavor 1, Style 1

 Flavor 2, Style 1

Cheese Spread, Cheddar, Fortified

 Plain

 With Jalapeno Peppers

 With Bacon

PCR-C-039

Type I

Type II

Type III

Cookies, Regular, Individual Serving Package, Crisp

 

 Sugar, Patriotic 

 Oatmeal, Plain

 Oatmeal, Chocolate Chunk

 Chocolate Chip, Plain

A-A-20295D, Type I, Class 1,

Bake Type a

 Style D, Shape (b)

 Style I, Flavor 1

 Style I, Flavor 6

 Style J, Flavor 1

Crackers, Fortified

 Plain

 Vegetable

PCR-C-037

 Type I

 Type II 

Dessert Powder, Pudding, Regular, Instant,

 Nonfat Dry Milk

 Vanilla 

A-A-20344A, Type I,

Preparation Method C, Style 1

 Flavor a

 Chocolate Flavor b
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TABLE I. Components - Continued

Component Reference

Filled Bakery Item

 Cinnamon Bun

 Apple Turnover

MIL-DTL-32221A

Type II

Type III

First StrikeTM Bars

 Chocolate, Regular

 Apple-Cinnamon, Regular

PCR-F-001

Flavor I, Style A

Flavor II, Style A

Jelly, Fruit, Standardized, Single, Regular

 U.S. Grade A

 Apple 

 Grape

A-A-20078C, Type I, Style 1

Finished Product Quality a

 Kind A

 Kind M

Nut and Fruit Mix

 Nuts and Raisins

 Nuts and Raisins with Pan Coated Chocolate Disks

PCR-N-003A

Type I

Type II

Nut Butters and Nut Spreads 

 Regular, Stabilized, Fortified, Salted, Conventional

 

 Peanut Butter, Smooth

 Peanut Butter, Chunky/Crunchy

 Peanut Spread, Smooth, Chocolate

A-A-20328B, Class A, Type a

Fortification 2, Seasoning (a), 

Agricultural Practices (1) 

Style I, Texture 1

Style I, Texture 3

Style II, Texture 1, Flavor 2

Nuts, Shelled, Roasted

 Peanuts, Virginia or Runner Type, Dry Roasted, Salted

 Cashews, Halves (Splits), Jalapeno

 Almonds (Unblanched), Flavored (Smoked, Barbeque)

A-A-20164D

Type V, Style A

Type VI, Size 2, Style C

Type IX, Style C

Preserves (or Jams), Fruit

 U.S. Grade A

 Single Fruit, Blackberry, Regular

 Single Fruit, Strawberry, Regular

A-A-20079C, Type I

Finished Product Quality a

Group I, Flavor A, Style 1

Group I, Flavor Q, Style 1

Ranger Bar

 Caramel Apple

 Chocolate Covered Chocolate Chip

 Cran-apple

 Banana Nut

PCR-R-008B

Flavor II

Flavor III

Flavor IV

Flavor V
ACR-M-034

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TABLE I. Components - Continued

Component Reference

Snack Foods

 Pretzels, Sticks, Plain, Salted

 Pretzels, Nuggets, Plain, Salted and Honey Mustard and 

Onion

 Filled Pretzels, Cheddar Cheese and Nacho Cheese 

 Baked Snack Crackers, Cheddar Cheese and

 Hot and Spicy Cheese

 Toasted Corn Kernels, Plain, Salted and Barbecue

 Cheese Filled Crackers, Cheddar Cheese and

 Pepperoni Pizza 

 Tortilla-type Filled Crackers, Jalapeno Cheddar

A-A-20195D

Type II, Style C, Flavor 1

Type II, Style E, Flavor 1 and 2

Type II, Style F, Flavor 1 and 2

Type V, Flavor 1 and 2

Type VI, Flavor 1 and 2

Type VII, Flavor 1 and 2

Type VIII, Flavor 1

Toaster Pastries, Shelf Stable, Regular, Not fortified,

 Rectangular, Enriched Wheat Flour

 Single Serving Packet 

 Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Without Sprinkles

 Frosted Chocolate Chip, With Swirled or Drizzled Icing

A-A-20211B, Type I, Fort. b, 

Shape i, Grain Composition (1)

Servings (a)

 Style B, Flavor 3, Frosting (B)

 Style B, Flavor 12, Frosting (C)

Candy

Candy and Chocolate Confections

 Toffee, Chocolate Flavored, Roll and Cube

 Hard Candy, Round and Oval, Caramel

 Pan Coated Candy 

 Disks, Milk Chocolate, Plain

 Disks, Fruit Flavored, Original

 Disks, Fruit Flavored, Berry

 Disks, Fruit Flavored, Sour

 Disks, Peanut Butter, Plain

 Oval/Round, Milk Chocolate, Plain with Peanuts

 Licorice Style Candy, Bite Size, Cherry

 Caffeinated Mints, Round Tablets 

 Peppermint

A-A-20177E

Type II, Style A and B

Type IV, Style C and F, Flavor 1

Type VI

 Style A, Flavor 1

 Style A, Flavor 2, Fl. Style a

 Style A, Flavor 2, Fl. Style b

 Style A, Flavor 2, Fl. Style d

 Style A, Flavor 4

 Style B, Flavor 1 

Type X, Shape B, Flavor 1

Type XII, Style A

 Flavor 1
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TABLE I. Components - Continued

Component Reference

Beverages

Beverage Bases (Powdered) 

 Sweetened with Nutritive Sweetener, Small Flat Pouch 

 Fortified with Ascorbic Acid and Maltodextrin

 Orange

 Lemon-Lime

 Tropical Punch

 Sweetened with Non-nutritive Sweetener, Lap or Fin Seal

 Pouch, Fortified with Ascorbic Acid and Calcium 

 Orange

A-A-20098E

Type II, Design E,

Formulation d

 Flavor 1

 Flavor 4

 Flavor 10

Type III, Design D,

 Formulation h

 Flavor 1 

Beverage Powder, Carbohydrate Electrolyte, Flat Pouch 

 Fruit Punch

 Grape

 Lemon Lime

 Orange

PCR-B-013A, Design A

Flavor I

Flavor II

Flavor III

Flavor IV

Cocoa Beverage Powder, Fortified,

 Flat Interlocking Closure Pouch

PCR-C-041,

Design B

Cocoa Beverage Powder, Sugar Sweetened,

 without Marshmallows, Chocolate Hazelnut,

 Flat Interlocking Closure Pouch

A-A-20189C, Type I, Style B,

Flavor F

Design B

Dairyshake Powder, Fortified with Calcium and Vit. D

 trans Fat Free, Flat Interlocking Closure Pouch

 Vanilla

 Chocolate

 Strawberry

 Strawberry Banana

PCR-D-002B, Type II, 

Design B

 Flavor I

 Flavor II

 Flavor III

 Flavor IV

Drink Mixes, Coffee (Flavored and Unflavored),

 Flavored Instant Cappuccino, Regular

 Flat Interlocking Closure Pouch

 French Vanilla

 Mocha

 Irish Cream

A-A-20336A

Type V, Style A

 Design B

 Flavor 1

 Flavor 2

 Flavor 4
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TABLE I. Components - Continued

Component Reference

Other Items

Bag, Hot Beverage MIL-PRF-32176

Barbecue Sauce, Plain/Regular, Without Fruit Purees A-A-20335B, Flavor I, Type B

Fork, Knife and Spoon, Picnic (Plastic), High Impact

 Spoon, MRE, 7-inch (Brown)

A-A-3109B, Type IV, Item 13

Hot Sauce, 1/8 fluid ounce pouch

 Extra Hot 4x

A-A-20097F

Type II 

Ketchup, Regular (Plain) A-A-20346A, Flavor I

Mayonnaise, Salad Dressing, and Tartar Sauce

 Mayonnaise, Fat Free

A-A-20140D

Type I, Style C

Mustard, Yellow (Salad Style) A-A-20036C, Type I

Natural Butter Flavor Granules, Spray-Dried, Regular

 Granules/sprinkles, 2 gram packet

Paperboard Insert Card

A-A-20351A, Type I, 

Style A, Package 1

MIL-PRF-44073G

Paperboard Sleeve MIL-PRF-44073G

Ration Supplement, Flameless Ration Heater (FRH) MIL-R-44398B

Spices and Spice Blends

 Red Pepper, Ground

 Seasoning Blend, Salt Free, with Herbs and Citrus 

A-A-20001A

Type I, Class Z, Form 1

Type II, Class D, Blend (1)

Syrup, Table, Imitation Maple, Regular Calorie A-A-20124D, Type IV,

Flavor A, Style 1
ACR-M-034

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B. Accessory components. Accessory components are specified in table II.

TABLE II. Accessory Components

Component Reference Acc. Pack

Chewing Gum, Tablet, Regular,

 Without Caffeine, Xylitol

 Sweetened, Peppermint or 

 Cinnamon 1/

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

Style (1), Class 3, 

Flavor a or c

All

Hand Cleaner (towelette), 

 Unscented, Water Based

A-A-461B, Type II All

Matches, Safety A-A-59489A, Type I, Class B A

Salt, Table, Iodized, 4 grams NaCl Monograph All

Toilet Tissue, Institutional, Folded,

One Ply, Perforated

A-A-59594A, Style II, Type A, Class 

1, Sheet Size b

All

Coffee, Soluble, Freeze Dried, Reg. A-A-20184B, Type III, Style A A, C

Creamer, Non-Dairy, Dry, Regular,

 Original

A-A-20043C, Style I, Flavor A A, C

Sugar, 1/7 ounce A-A-20135D, Type I, Style A A

Beverage Bases (Powdered) 1/

 Sweetened with Non-Nutritive

 Sweetener, Lap or Fin Seal Pouch

 Lemonade, Not fortified

 Raspberry, Not fortified

A-A-20098E

Type III

Design D

 Flavor 8, Formulation a

 Flavor 13, Formulation a

B

Sugar Substitutes, Non-Carbohydrate,

 Granular, Envelopes/packets 

A-A-20178C, Type IV, Style A, 

Package 1

C

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

 C. Contents. The contents of each meal are specified in table III. Refer to table I for full 

citation and document number of components.
ACR-M-034

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TABLE III. Contents

Menu #1

Chili with Beans

Cheese Spread, Cheddar, Plain

Snack Bread 1/

Corn Bread

Ranger Bar 1/

Beverage Base, Sweetened with Nutritive 

Sweetener, Fortified 1/

Spice, Red Pepper

Accessory Packet A

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Bag, Hot Beverage

Paperboard Sleeve

Menu #2

Beef Shredded in Barbecue Sauce

Black Beans in a Seasoned Sauce 

Snack Food, Pretzels 1/

Cheese Spread, Cheddar, with Jalapeno 

Peppers

Tortillas, Plain

Nuts 1/

Beverage Base, Sweetened with Nutritive 

Sweetener, Fortified 1/

Barbecue Sauce

Accessory Packet C

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Bag, Hot Beverage

Paperboard Sleeve

Paperboard Insert Card (as applicable)

Menu #3

Chicken, Noodles and Vegetables, in Sauce

Fudge Brownie with Chocolate Drops, trans Fat 

Free

Cheese Spread, Cheddar, Plain

Crackers, Plain

Nut and Fruit Mix, Nuts and Raisins with Pan 

Coated Chocolate Disks

Beverage Powder, Carbohydrate Electrolyte 1/

Hot Sauce, Extra Hot

Accessory Packet A

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Bag, Hot Beverage

Paperboard Sleeve

Menu #4

Spaghetti with Beef and Sauce

Peanut Butter, Smooth

Snack Bread, Multigrain

Fruits, Infused and Dried 1/

Candy III 1/

Beverage Base, Sweetened with Nutritive 

Sweetener, Fortified 1/

Jelly/Jam 1/

Accessory Packet A

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Bag, Hot Beverage

Paperboard Sleeve
ACR-M-034

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TABLE III. Contents - Continued

Menu #5

Chicken with Tomatoes and Feta Cheese 

Fruits, Infused and Dried 1/

Cheese Spread, Cheddar, with Jalapeno

Peppers

Crackers, Vegetable

First StrikeTM Bar 1/

Candy II 1/

Beverage Powder, Carbohydrate Electrolyte 1/

Accessory Packet A

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Bag, Hot Beverage

Paperboard Sleeve

Menu #6

Beef Taco

Fruits, Wet Pack 1/

Snack Food, Cheese Filled Crackers 1/

Peanut Butter, Smooth

Tortillas, Plain

Jelly/Jam

Beverage Powder, Carbohydrate Electrolyte 1/

Spice, Seasoning Blend

Accessory Packet A

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Bag, Hot Beverage

Paperboard Sleeve

Paperboard Insert Card (as applicable)

Menu #7

Brisket Entrée 

Potatoes, Mashed, Garlic

Cookies 1/

Peanut Butter, Smooth

Snack Bread 1/

Jelly/Jam 1/

Candy I 1/

Drink Mix, Flavored Instant Cappuccino, Irish 

Cream

Natural Butter Granules, Spray Dried

Accessory Packet B

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Paperboard Sleeve

Paperboard Insert Card (as applicable)

Menu #8

Meatballs in Marinara Sauce

Potatoes au Gratin

Cheese Spread, Cheddar with Jalapeno 

Peppers

Tortillas, Plain

First StrikeTM Bar 1/

Beef Snacks

Beverage Base, Sweetened with Nutritive 

Sweetener, Fortified 1/

Accessory Packet C

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Bag, Hot Beverage

Paperboard Sleeve

Paperboard Insert Card (as applicable)
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TABLE III. Contents - Continued

Menu #9

Beef Stew

Peanut Butter, Smooth

Jelly/Jam 1/

Snack Bread, Multigrain

Nut and Fruit Mix, Nuts and raisins

Snack Food, Pretzels 1/

Cocoa Beverage Powder, Chocolate Hazelnut

Hot Sauce, Extra Hot

Accessory Packet B

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Paperboard Sleeve

Menu #10

Chili and Macaroni

Cake, Pound, trans Fat Free 1/

Cheese Spread, Cheddar, with Jalapeno 

Peppers

Crackers, Plain

Candy III 1/

Beverage Powder, Carbohydrate Electrolyte 1/

Spice, Red Pepper

Accessory Packet A

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Bag, Hot Beverage

Paperboard Sleeve

Menu #11 Vegetarian

Vegetable Crumbles with Pasta in Taco Style 

Sauce

Fruits, Wet Pack 1/

Cookies 1/

Peanut Butter, Chunky/Crunchy

Crackers, Plain

Candy I 1/

Drink Mix, Flavored Instant Cappuccino, 

French Vanilla

Hot Sauce, Extra Hot

Accessory Packet B

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Paperboard Sleeve

Paperboard Insert Card (as applicable)

Menu #12 Vegetarian

Penne with Vegetable Sausage Crumbles in 

Spicy Tomato Sauce, Whole Grain Penne

Toaster Pastries 1/

Dessert Powder, Pudding 1/

Snack Food, Pretzels 1/

Snack Bread 1/

Peanut Butter, Smooth, Chocolate

Beverage Powder, Carbohydrate Electrolyte 1/

Hot Sauce, Extra Hot

Accessory Packet A

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Bag, Hot Beverage

Paperboard Sleeve

Menu #13 Vegetarian

Cheese Tortellini in Tomato Sauce

Fruits, Wet Pack 1/

First StrikeTM Bar 1/

Peanut Butter, Smooth

Menu #14 Vegetarian

Ratatouille 

Fruits, Infused and Dried 1/

Cake, Pound, trans Fat Free 1/

Peanut Butter, Smooth
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Crackers, Plain

Candy II 1/

Beverage Powder, Carbohydrate Electrolyte 1/

Hot Sauce, Extra Hot

Accessory Packet B

Spoon

Paperboard Insert Card (as applicable)

Crackers, Plain

Dairyshake Powder, trans Fat Free 1/

Hot Sauce, Extra Hot

Accessory Packet A

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

TABLE III. Contents - Continued

Flameless Ration Heater

Paperboard Sleeve

Bag, Hot Beverage

Paperboard Sleeve

Menu #15

Mexican Style Chicken Stew

Fruits, Wet Pack 1/

Snack Food, Cheese Filled Pretzels 1/

Cheese Spread, Cheddar, Plain 

Crackers, Vegetable

Candy II 1/

Beverage Base, Sweetened with Nutritive 

Sweetener, Fortified 1/

Spice, Red Pepper

Accessory Packet A

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Bag, Hot Beverage 

Paperboard Sleeve

Paperboard Insert Card (as applicable)

Menu #16

Rib Shaped Barbecue Flavor Pork Patty

Santa Fe Style Rice And Beans

Beef Snacks, Strips

Peanut Butter, Smooth

Snack Bread, Wheat, Twin Pack

Candy, Caffeine Mints

Jelly/Jam 1/

Beverage Base, Sweetened with Nutritive 

Sweetener, Fortified 1/

Barbecue Sauce

Accessory Packet B

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Paperboard Sleeve

Paperboard Insert Card (as applicable)

Menu #17

Pork Sausage Patty, Maple Flavored

Muffin Top, Maple

Cheese Spread, Cheddar, Plain

Crackers, Plain

Nut and Fruit Mix, Nuts and Raisins

Beverage, Sugar Free, Orange, Fortified with 

Vitamin C

Syrup

Accessory Packet A

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Bag, Hot Beverage

Paperboard Sleeve

Menu #18

Beef Ravioli in Meat Sauce

Cheese Spread, Cheddar, Bacon

Snack Bread 1/

Snack Food, Toasted Corn Kernels 1/

Fruit, Infused and Dried 1/

Beverage Base, Sweetened with Nutritive 

Sweetener, Fortified 1/

Hot Sauce, Extra Hot

Accessory Packet C

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Bag, Hot Beverage

Paperboard Sleeve
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TABLE III. Contents - Continued

Menu #19

Beef Patty, Jalapeno Pepper Jack

Cobbler, Cherry Blueberry

Snack Bread, Wheat, Twin Pack

Cheese Spread, Cheddar, Plain

Cookies 1/

Cocoa Beverage Powder

Ketchup

Mustard

Accessory Packet B

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Paperboard Sleeve

Paperboard Insert Card (as applicable)

Menu #20

Pork Sausage In Cream Gravy

Granola with Milk and Fruit 1/

Muffin Top, Chocolate Banana Nut

Cheese Spread, Cheddar, Plain

Crackers, Plain

Beverage Base, Sweetened with Nutritive 

Sweetener, Fortified 1/

Accessory Packet A

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Bag, Hot Beverage

Paperboard Sleeve

Menu #21

Tuna, Lemon Pepper

Tortillas, Plain

Cake, Pound, trans Fat Free 1/

Snack Food, Baked Snack Cracker 1/

Nuts 1/

Dairyshake Powder, trans Fat Free 1/

Mayonnaise, Fat Free

Spice, Seasoning Blend

Accessory Packet B

Spoon

Menu #22

Asian Style Beef Strips with Vegetables

Peanut Butter, Chunky/Crunchy

Jelly/Jam 1/

Snack Bread 1/

Fried Rice

Candy I 1/

Cocoa Beverage Powder

Accessory Packet C

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Bag, Hot Beverage

Paperboard Sleeve

Menu #23

Chicken Pesto Pasta

Cheese Spread, Cheddar, Plain

Italian Bread Sticks 

Filled Bakery Item 1/

Cookies, Sugar, Patriotic

Beverage Powder, Carbohydrate Electrolyte 1/

Spice, Red Pepper

Accessory Packet A

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater

Bag, Hot Beverage 

Menu #24

Southwest Beef and Black Beans

Apple Pieces in Spiced Sauce

Toaster Pastries 1/

Turkey Nuggets

Cheese Spread, Cheddar, Plain

Tortillas, Chipotle

Drink Mix, Flavored Instant Cappuccino, 

Mocha

Accessory Packet B

Spoon

Flameless Ration Heater
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Paperboard Sleeve Paperboard Sleeve

Paperboard Insert Card (as applicable)

1/ Flavors or types, as applicable, shall be procured in equal quantities and assembled in a 

uniform distribution in accordance with table IV:

TABLE IV. Menu distribution

Item Menu Flavor

Beverage Base, Sweetened 

with Nutritive Sweetener, 

Fortified

1, 2, 4, 8, 

15, 16, 18, 

20

Orange, lemon-lime and tropical punch

Beverages with 

Carbohydrate Electrolyte

3, 5, 6, 10, 

12, 13, 23

Fruit punch, grape, lemon-lime and orange

Cakes, Pound, trans Fat Free 10, 14, 21 Vanilla, lemon poppy seed, spice, carrot, marble, 

and applesauce 

Candy I 7, 11, 22 Chocolate toffee rolls, toffee chocolate cubes, 

hard caramel candy and licorice

Candy II 5, 13, 15 Pan coated candy: plain chocolate disks, peanut 

butter disks and chocolate with peanuts 

oval/round

Candy III 4, 10 Original, berry and sour fruit disks

Cookies 7, 11, 19 Oatmeal, chocolate chip, and oatmeal chocolate 

chunk

Dairyshake Powder, trans

Fat Free

14, 21 Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and strawberrybanana

Dessert Powder, Pudding 12 Vanilla and chocolate

Filled Bakery Items 23 Cinnamon bun and apple turnover

First StrikeTM Bars 5, 8, 13 Chocolate and apple-cinnamon

Fruits, Infused and Dried 4, 5, 14, 18 Cranberries and raisins

Fruits, Wet Pack 6, 11, 13, 15 Raspberry applesauce, carbohydrate enhanced 

applesauce, mango/peach applesauce, pears, and 

mixed fruit

Granola with Milk and Fruit 20 With blueberries and with banana

Jams and Jellies 4, 6, 7, 9, 

16, 22

Blackberry, strawberry, apple and grape

Nuts 2, 21 Dry roasted peanuts, jalapeno cashews, smoked 

almonds, and barbecue almonds

Ranger Bar 1 Caramel apple, chocolate covered chocolate chip, 

cran-apple and banana nut

Snack Breads 1, 7, 12 Wheat and white wheat
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18, 22

Snack Foods

 Baked Snack Crackers 21 Cheddar cheese and hot and spicy cheese

TABLE IV. Menu distribution – Continued

 Filled Crackers 6 Cheddar cheese, pepperoni pizza, and jalapeno 

tortilla

 Filled Pretzels 15 Cheddar cheese and nacho cheese

 Pretzels 2, 9, 12 Plain salted sticks and honey mustard and onion 

nuggets

 Toasted Corn Kernels 18 Plain salted and barbecue

Toaster Pastries 12, 24 Frosted brown sugar cinnamon and chocolate 

chip

SECTION D

D-1 PACKAGING

 A. Components.

(1) Subassembly/accessory packet pouch. The subassembly/accessory packet pouch 

shall be a preformed pouch or a form-fill-seal pouch. 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 accessory packet. The 

average seal strength of the pouch 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 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. The 

pouch shall be made from polymeric film 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 g/m2

/24hrs at 90% RH and 100°F when tested in accordance 

with ASTM F1249, Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate Through 

Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Modulated Infrared Sensor, ASTM E96/E96M, Standard 

Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials or Method 3030 of MIL-STD3010, Test Procedures for Packaging Materials and Containers. The exterior color of the 

packet shall be clear or tan.

(2) 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 
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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.

(3) 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 approved 

for food contact. Polyethylene shall have a minimum thickness of 0.010 inch. Inside 

dimensions of the bag shall not exceed 8-1/2 inches by 13-1/4 inches. The color of the bag 

shall conform to number 20219, 30219, 30227, 30279, 30313, 30324 or 30450 of FED-STD595, Colors Used in Government Procurement. 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, military abuse testing and controlled pest testing. Samples 

may be submitted to the contracting officer to be qualified on a case by case basis.

(4) Paperboard sleeve. The paperboard sleeve shall be constructed in accordance with 

figure 6 of MIL-PRF-44073G. When folded along the score lines located at the bottom of the 

sleeve, an open-ended carton shall result. Each sleeve shall be securely sealed along the glue 

joint. The seal shall have a bond strength greater than the fiber tear of the paperboard. The

color of the sleeve shall be natural kraft, tan or dull gray. The paperboard sleeve shall contain 

food product information in accordance with Section D-2 of the appropriate food product 

document(s).

(5) Paperboard insert card. The paperboard insert card shall not exceed 4 inches in 

width by 6 inches in length. The color of the insert card shall be natural kraft, tan or dull 

gray. The paperboard insert card shall contain food product information in accordance with 

Section D-2 of the appropriate food product document(s).

 B. Assembly.

(1) Subassembly/accessory packet assembly. One of each applicable component as 

described in table II shall be inserted in an accessory packet pouch. If a subassembly is used, 

additional components may also be inserted in the packet. For a preformed pouch, 

components 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 form-fill-seal pouch, components shall be placed in the body 
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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 average seal strength of the pouch 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 packet shall exhibit no rupture or seal separation greater 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.

(2) 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.

D-2 LABELING

 A. Subassembly/accessory packet. The subassembly/accessory packet shall be labeled on 

one face in permanent dark contrasting color ink with ‘A’, ‘B’ or ‘C’, as applicable. 

Alternatively, the packet letter may be embossed in the seal of the packet.

 B. Meal bag. Each meal bag shall be correctly and legibly labeled on at least one face with 

permanent ink or other dark contrasting color with the information contained in accordance 

with Figures 1, 2 or 3, as applicable. The label shall cite the correct Menu number, name of 

entrée, French translation of entrée name (see table V), name and address of assembler, and 

Menus 11-14 shall cite “Vegetarian”. Menus 1-4 and 13-16 shall be printed in accordance 

with Design 1 (Figure 1). Menus 5-8 and 17-20 shall be printed in accordance with Design 2 

(Figure 2). Menus 9-12 and 21-24 shall be printed in accordance with Design 3 (Figure 3).

The French translation printed on the meal bag, in accordance with the design specified 

above, shall be as specified in table V: 

TABLE V. French Translation of Entrée Name

Entrée Name French Translation

Asian Style Beef Strips

 withVegetables

Dés de bœuf aux légumes, à l’asiatique

Beef Patty, Jalapeno Pepper Jack Steak haché au fromage pimenté

Beef Ravioli in Meat sauce Ravioli au bœuf, sauce à la viande

Beef Shredded, in Barbecue Sauce Émincé de boeuf, sauce barbecue

Beef Stew Ragoût de bœuf

Beef Taco Taco au boeuf
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Brisket Entrée (Gravy with Seasoned 

Beef Brisket Slices)

Tranches de poitrine de bœuf assaisonné

Cheese Tortellini in Tomato Sauce Tortellini au fromage, sauce tomate

Chicken, Noodles and Vegetables, 

 in Sauce

Poulet, nouilles et légumes en sauce

Chicken Pesto Pasta Poulet et pâtes au pesto

Chicken with Tomatoes and Feta

 Cheese

Poulet aux tomates et au fromage Feta

Chili and Macaroni Chili et Macaroni

Chili with Beans Chili aux haricots rouges

Meatballs in Marinara Sauce Boulettes de viande, sauce Marinara

Mexican Style Chicken Stew Ragoût de poulet à la mexicaine

Penne with Vegetable Sausage

 Crumbles in Spicy Tomato Sauce

Penne à la saucisse végétale, sauce tomate

 piquante

Pork Sausage in Cream Gravy Saucisse de porc en sauce crémeuse

Pork Sausage Patty, Maple Flavored Saucisse de porc, saveur d'érable

Ratatouille (Mixed Vegetables and

 Penne)

Ratatouille (mélange de légumes et de Penne)

TABLE V. French Translation of Entrée Name - Continued

Entrée Name French Translation

Rib Shaped Barbecue Flavor Pork

 Patty

Travers de porc, saveur Barbecue

Southwest Beef and Black Beans Bœuf à la façon “Southwest” aux haricots

noirs

Spaghetti with Beef and Sauce Spaghetti en sauce à la viande de bœuf

Tuna, Chunk, Light, Water Packed,

 Lemon Pepper

Miettes de thon au naturel au poivre citronné

Vegetable Crumbles with Pasta in Taco 

 Style Sauce

Crumbles de legumes et pâtes, sauce façon 

Taco

D-3 PACKING

 

 A. Packing. Twelve meals shall be packed in a fiberboard box. Case “A” shall contain 

meals 1 through 12, and case “B” shall contain meals 13 through 24. The fiberboard box 

shall conform to RSC-L of ASTM D5118/D5118M, Standard Practice for Fabrication of 

Fiberboard Shipping Boxes and grade V2s of ASTM D4727/D4727M, 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. [US Army Research, Development and Engineering 
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Command; Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center found that solid 

fiberboard shipping container material consisting of two outer facings of 90 pound wet 

strength linerboard and an inner ply of 69 pound linerboard met 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 D5118/D5118M, 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 D1974/D1974M, 

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 

15-5/8 inches in length, 9-1/8 inches in width and 9-9/16 inches in depth.

D-4 UNITIZATION

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

class C of DLA Troop Support Form 3507, Loads, Unit: Preparation of Semiperishable

Subsistence Items. Each load shall have 24 “A” cases and 24 “B” cases. 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 DLA 

Troop Support 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

Case A or B, as applicable

U.S. GOVERNMENT PROPERTY – COMMERCIAL RESALE IS UNLAWFUL

NOTE: WATER ACTIVATED Flameless Ration Heater, NSN 8970-01-321-9153, 

supplied in each MRE bag
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(2) 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.

(3) One side panel of the shipping container shall be marked “MEAL, READY-TOEATTM, INDIVIDUAL” in letters not less than 1-1/4 inches high with the French translation 

“(Repas, Prêt-à-Consommer, Individuel)” marked underneath in letters not less than 1 inch. 

Underneath the ration nomenclature, in letters not less than 1/2 inch, the shipping container 

shall be marked “DO NOT ROUGH HANDLE WHEN FROZEN (0°F or below)”.

 B. Unit loads. Unit loads shall be marked in accordance with DLA Troop Support Form 

3556. In addition, each unit load shall be provided with a Material Safety Data Sheet 

(MSDS), in accordance with MIL-R-44398. The MSDS shall be packaged and attached to 

one side of the unit load. A copy of the MSDS shall be included with the shipping papers and 

a copy shall also be placed in the vehicle manifest.
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FIGURE 1. Example of Design 1 of Meal Bag Graphics
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FIGURE 2. Example of Design 2 of Meal Bag Graphics
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FIGURE 3. Example of Design 3 of Meal Bag Graphics
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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.

 C. Packaging examination.

(1) Pouch material certification. The pouch material shall be tested for these 

characteristics. A Certificate of Conformance (CoC) may be accepted as evidence that the 

characteristics conform to the specified requirements.

Requirement Requirement paragraph Test procedure

Thickness of meal bag D-1,A(3) ASTM D2103 1/

Color of meal bag and

subassembly/accessory packet

D-1,A(1) and D-1,A(3) Visual evaluation and 

FED-STD-595, as applicable 2/

Water vapor transmission rate D-1,A(1) ASTM F1249 3/, ASTM 

E96/E96M 4/ or Method 3030

of MIL-STD-3010 5/ 
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1/ Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting

2/ Colors Used in Government Procurement

3/ Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and 

Sheeting Using a Modulated Infrared Sensor 

4/ Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials

5/ Test Procedures for Packaging Materials and Containers

(2) Subassembly/accessory packet examination. The filled and sealed packets shall be 

examined for the defects listed in table VI. 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.

TABLE VI. Subassembly/accessory packet defects

Category Defect

Major Minor

101 Not clean. 1/

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

202 Tear nick or notch or serrations missing or does not facilitate 

opening.

203 Tear or hole or open seal.

204 Label missing or incorrect or illegible.

205 Pouch not sealed on four sides.

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 
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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.

(3) Subassembly/accessory packet contents examination. The filled and sealed 

packets shall be examined for the defects listed in table VII (this examination may be 

performed on the preformed packets after filling and prior to sealing). The lot size shall be 

expressed in packets. The sample unit shall be one packet, open or sealed. The inspection 

level shall be S-4 and the AQL, expressed in terms of defects per hundred units, shall be 1.5 

for major defects and 4.0 for minor defects.

TABLE VII. Subassembly/accessory packet contents defects

Category Defect

Major Minor

101 Component not clean. 1/

201 Missing or unserviceable component.

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

to cause package damage (for example, 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 

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

total surface area of one package face.

(4) Assembled meal bag examination. The filled and sealed meal bags shall be 

inspected for the defects listed in table VIII. 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 
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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 VIII. Assembled meal bag defects

Category Defect

Critical Major Minor

1 Tear or hole or open seal in cheese spread.

2 Swollen cheese spread pouch, or swollen pouch of 

thermostabilized item.

3 Tear or hole or puncture in uncartoned thermostabilized 

pouch.

101 Menu component missing or incorrect assortment for

menu. 1/

102 Meal bag not clean or outer packaging of its contents not 

clean. 2/ 

103 Foreign odor.

104 Labeling missing or incorrect or illegible.

105 Swollen peanut butter or jelly or jam pouch.

106 Tear or hole or open seal in component packages.

107 Crushed or broken component. 3/ 

108 Broken spoon.

109

110

Chocolate toffee rolls or cubes not packaged in barrier pouch.

Bond strength of paperboard sleeve glue joint is not greater 

than fiber strength of paperboard sleeve. 4/
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TABLE VIII. Assembled meal bag defects - Continued

Category Defect

Critical Major Minor

111 Dimensions of paperboard sleeve not as specified. 4/? 

201 Tear or hole or open seal or split in meal bag.

202 Tear or hole or open seal in subassembly/accessory packet.

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

specified.

204

205

206

207

Labeling graphics of meal bag not correct.

Color of paperboard sleeve or paperboard insert card not as 

specified. 4/

Paperboard sleeve does not form an open-ended carton when 

folded along the bottom score lines. 4/

Dimensions of paperboard insert card not as specified. 4/

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/ For definition of crushed or broken, refer to applicable ration component document.
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4/ A CoC may be accepted as evidence of conformance.

 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 subassembly/accessory packet pouch. The seals of the 

unfilled preformed pouches for the subassembly/accessory packet shall be tested for seal 

strength in accordance with ASTM F88/F88M, Standard Test Method for 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 individual 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 VI, footnote 2/) shall be 

considered a test failure. Any test failure shall be classified as a major defect and 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 F88/F88M. 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 
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a seal strength less than 4 pounds per inch of width or greater than 10 pounds per inch of 

width shall be classified as a major defect and shall be cause for rejection of the lot.

 c. Subassembly/accessory packet pouch closure. The closure seals of the pouches 

for the subassembly/accessory packet shall be tested for seal strength in accordance with 

ASTM F88/F88M. 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 individual 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 VI, footnote 2/) shall be 

considered a test failure. Any test failure shall be classified as a major defect and 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 F88/F88M. 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.
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(2) Unfilled meal bag and unfilled preformed subassembly/accessory packet pouch 

seal certification. A CoC may be accepted as evidence that unfilled bags or pouches conform 

to the seal strength requirements specified in D-1,A,(1) and (3). When deemed necessary by 

the government inspector, testing of the unfilled preformed pouches for seal strength shall be 

as specified in E,D(1)a.

 

 E. Packing.

(1) Shipping container and marking examination. The filled and sealed shipping 

containers shall be examined for the defects listed in table IX. 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 IX. Shipping container and marking 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 Time-temperature indicator missing or not centrally located on panel.

202 Time-temperature indicator 1/4-inch quiet zone not maintained.

203 Meal bag graphics do not coincide with specified design.

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.
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(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 DLA Troop Support Form 3507. Any nonconformance shall be classified as 

a major defect.

SECTION J REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

Unless otherwise specified, the applicable version of these documents is that which is active 

on the date of the solicitation or contract.

DLA Troop Support Forms

Form 3507 Loads, Unit: Preparation of Semiperishable Subsistence Items

Form 3556 Marking Instructions for Boxes, Sacks, and Unit Loads of 

Perishable and Semiperishable Subsistence

MILITARY SPECIFICATIONS

MIL-PRF-32176 Bag, Hot Beverage

MIL-R-44398B Ration Supplement, Flameless Ration Heater (FRH)

MIL-STD-3010 Test Procedures for Packaging Materials and Containers

MIL-PRF-44073G Packaging of Food in Flexible Pouches

FEDERAL STANDARDS

FED-STD-595 Colors Used in Government Procurement
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NON-GOVERNMENTAL STANDARDS

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR QUALITY (ASQ) www.asq.org

 ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by 

Attributes

ASTM INTERNATIONAL www.astm.org

D1974/ D1974M Standard Practice for Methods of Closing, Sealing, 

and Reinforcing Fiberboard Boxes

D2103 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and 

Sheeting

D4727/D4727M Standard Specification for Corrugated and Solid 

Fiberboard Sheet Stock (Container Grade) and Cut 

Shapes

D5118/D5118M Standard Practice for Fabrication of Fiberboard 

Shipping Boxes 

E96/E96M Standard Test Methods for Water Vapor 

Transmission of Materials

F88/F88M Standard Test Method for Seal Strength of Flexible 

Barrier Materials

F1249 Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission 

Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a 

Modulated Infrared Sensor
ACR-M-034

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For DLA Troop Support Website Posting

RDNS-CFF 23 January 2014

TO: DLA Troop Support – Subsistence DSCP FTRE 

SUBJECT: ES14-018 (DSCP-SS-14-00509); Follow up to- ES13-055 (DSCP-SS-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 limited use of paperboard insert cards for product labeling

1. Reference: Memo from RDNS-CFF to DSCP FTRE, dated 27 September 2013, 

SUBJECT: ES13-055 (DSCP-SS-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.

2. Natick requests further changes to affected MRETM assembly and packaging documents 

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

paperboard cartons to sleeves in the MRETM and the recent 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. Defense Logistics Agency – Troop Support requires these changes as 

soon as possible in order to support their ongoing MRETM 34 contracts.

3. Changes to the affected documents are for MRE 34TM and all future MRETM 

procurements.

4. Natick requests the following changes to ACR-M-034, Meal, Ready-to-EatTM (MRETM) 

Assembly Requirements:

a. Page 7, Section C-2, A, Table I: Under “Granules/sprinkles, 2 gram packet” insert 

“Paperboard Insert Card” and under “Style A, Package 1” insert “MIL-PRF-44073G”.

b. Pages 9-13, Section C-2, A, Table III: In menus # 2, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 16, 19 and 

24: Under “Paperboard Sleeve” Insert “Paperboard Insert Card (as applicable)”.

c. Page 16, Section D-1, A: After (3) Meal bag paragraph, insert the following new 

paragraph “(4) Paperboard sleeve. The paperboard sleeve shall be constructed in accordance 

with figure 6 of MIL-PRF-44073G. When folded along the score lines located at the bottom 

of the sleeve, an open-ended carton shall result. Each sleeve shall be securely sealed along 

the glue joint. The seal shall have a bond strength greater than the fiber tear of the 

paperboard. The color 
ACR-M-034

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35

RDNS-CFF 

SUBJECT: ES14-018 (DSCP-SS-14-00509); Follow up to- ES13-055 (DSCP-SS-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 limited use of paperboard insert cards for product labeling

of the sleeve shall be natural kraft, tan or dull gray. The paperboard sleeve shall contain food 

product information in accordance with Section D-2 of the appropriate food product 

document(s).”

d. Page 16, Section D-1, A: after new paragraph (4) as shown above, Insert “(5) 

Paperboard insert card. The paperboard insert card shall not exceed 4 inches in width by 6 

inches in length. The color of the insert card shall be natural kraft, tan or dull gray. The 

paperboard insert card shall contain food product information in accordance with Section D-2 

of the appropriate food product document(s).”

e. Page 26, Section E, C, (4), Table VIII: After defect 109, insert new Major Defect, 

“110 Bond strength of paperboard sleeve glue joint is not greater than fiber strength of 

paperboard sleeve. 4/”.

f. Page 26, Section E, C, (4), Table VIII: After new defect 110 (as shown above), 

insert new Major Defect, “111 Dimensions of paperboard sleeve not as specified. 4/”.

g. Page 27, Section E, C, (4), Table VIII: After defect 204 insert the following new 

Minor defects:

“205 Color of paperboard sleeve or paperboard insert card not as specified. 4/”.

“206 Paperboard sleeve does not form an open-ended carton when folded along the 

bottom score lines. 4/”.

“207 Dimensions of paperboard insert card not as specified. 4/”.

h. Page 27, Section E, C, (4), Table VIII: Insert new footnote, “4/ A CoC may be 

accepted as evidence of conformance.”

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

Flexible Pouches:

a. Page 7, Section 3: After section 3.5... In addition, the product name shall be correctly and 

legibly labeled on the sleeve.” Insert new requirement, as follows:
ACR-M-034

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36

RDNS-CFF 

SUBJECT: ES14-018 (DSCP-SS-14-00509); Follow up to- ES13-055 (DSCP-SS-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 limited use of paperboard insert cards for product labeling

“3.6 Paperboard insert card (Type I). As applicable, the paperboard insert card shall meet the 

following criteria.

3.6.1 Paperboard insert card dimensions. The paperboard insert card shall not exceed 4 

inches in width by 6 inches in length.

3.6.2. Paperboard insert card color. The color of the paperboard insert card shall be natural 

kraft, tan or dull gray.”

b. Pages 11-12, Section 4.4: After “Examination of pouch and sleeve” insert (or insert 

card)”. After “accompanying sleeve” insert “(or insert card)”. 

c. Page 13, Section 4.4, Table III, Title: After “sleeve” insert “(or insert card)”.

d. Page 13, Section 4.4, Table III, defect 103: Insert “2/” after defect.

e. Page 13, Section 4.4, Table III, defect 104: Delete “2/” after defect and replace 

with “1/ 3/”.

f. Page 13, Section 4.4, Table III: After defect “104” insert new Major defect “105 

Dimensions of paperboard sleeve not as specified. 2/”.

g. Page 13, Section 4.4, Table III, defect 202: After “sleeve” insert “or insert card” and after 

“specified.” insert “2/” 

h. Page 13, Section 4.4, Table III, defect 204: Insert “1/” after defect.

i. Page 13, Section 4.4, Table III, defect 206: Insert “2/” after defect.

j. Page 13, Section 4.4, Table III: After defect 206 insert new Minor defect as 

follows: “207 Dimensions of paperboard insert card not as specified. 2/”.

k. Page 13, Section 4.4, Table III: After footnote “1/” insert new footnote “2/ A CoC may be 

accepted as evidence of conformance.”

l. Page 13, Section 4.4, Table III: Renumber footnote “2/”to footnote “3/”.
ACR-M-034

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37

RDNS-CFF 

SUBJECT: ES14-018 (DSCP-SS-14-00509); Follow up to- ES13-055 (DSCP-SS-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 limited use of paperboard insert cards for product labeling

6. Attached is Change 02, ACR-M-034 Meal, Ready-to-EatTM (MRETM), Assembly 

Requirements, dated 23 January 2014 and Change 05, MIL-PRF-44073G Packaging of Food 

in Flexible Pouches, dated 23 January 2014. Changes are highlighted.