DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

UNITED STATES ARMY PUBLIC HEALTH COMMAND

ARMY INSTITUTE PUBLIC HEALTH VETERINARY SERVICES

OPERATIONAL RATIONS INSPECTION PROCEDURE (OPRATS IP28)

1 March 2013

Survival Food Packet - Abandon Ship Inspection

1.0 PURPOSE: To provide clear procedures in performing inspections of Survival Food Packet -

Abandon Ship.

2.0 SCOPE:

2.1 This USAPHC OPRATS IP applies to Army Veterinary Inspectors (AVI) assigned to 

post, camp, or stations with responsibility for performing Abandon Ship surveillance inspections.

2.2 This USAPHC OPRATS IP discusses procedures and inspection guidance not covered 

in DAL Troop Support 4155.2, Appendix F.

3.0 DEFINITIONS:

3.1 Refer to DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Definitions

3.2 Refer to DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Appendix F, Definitions

3.3 Food Packet, Survival, Abandon Ship – Used by the Navy to sustain one person for three

days (using two bars per day) who must abandon ship and is designed to fit in the storage areas of 

lifesaving craft.

3.3.1 Characteristics – The packet contains calorically dense cereal bars with a minimum 

of six equally shaped, commercially available, individually wrapped bars per intermediate box. The 

components have maximum stability for storage in on-deck craft under all climatic conditions.

3.3.2 Shelf Life – Seven years at 80 degrees F (27 degrees C). This meets the 

requirements in the U.S. Coast Guard Regulations Governing Emergency Provisions for Lifeboats 

and Life Rafts.

3.3.3 Nutritional Data – Each packet provides approximately 2400 kilocalories (54% 

carbohydrate). It is strictly a short-term survival food. The consumption of this ration minimizes the 

metabolic effects of acute starvation. The components are compatible with potable water restrictions.
OPERATIONAL RATIONS INSPECTION PROCEDURE (OPRATS IP28)

1 March 2013

4.0 REFERENCES:

4.1 DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2

4.2 DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Appendix F

4.3 Natick Pam 30-25, 8th Edition

4.4 CID-A-A-20247A, Commercial Item Description for Food Packet, Survival, 

Abandon Ship

4.5 MEDCOM Regulation 40-28 4.6 

MEDCOM Pamphlet 40-13

4.7 USAPHC Handbook 40-3, Installation Support Plan (ISP) Program 5.0 

PROCEDURES:

5.1 General Examination for Transportation Damage/Obvious Defects.

5.1.1 A complete receipt inspection is not required if a current inspection report 

accompanies the shipment

5.1.2 Abandon Ship packets delivered to various installations directly from the MRE 

assembly plant (Wornick, Ameriqual, and Sopakco) or the assembly contractor’s facility (i.e. New

View Oklahoma) does not require a complete receipt inspection. These shipments must have a DD 

Form 250 with block 21 (Contract Quality Assurance) completed and signed for the Chief, Operational 

Rations, USAPHC, by the in-plant/procurement AVIs. Inspect these deliveries only for transportation 

damage/obvious defects.

5.2 Types and Frequency of Inspections.

5.2.1 Receipt Inspection – IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Paragraph VIII 

A. 

5.2.2 In-storage Inspection – IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Paragraph 

VIII B. 

5.2.3 Warranty Inspection – IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Paragraph 

VIII C.

5.2.4 Prior to Sale or Shipment (Surveillance) Inspection – IAW DLA Troop 

Support Handbook 4155.2, Paragraph VIII D

5.2.5 Special Inspection – IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 

4155.2Paragraph VIII E

5.3 Formation of Lots. IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Appendix F, 

2
OPERATIONAL RATIONS INSPECTION PROCEDURE (OPRATS IP28)

1 March 2013

Paragraph II.C.3

5.4 Normal Inspection.

5.4.1 The AVIs will perform normal surveillance inspections IAW DLA Troop 

Support Handbook 4155.2, Appendix F, Paragraphs II.A thru II.I.

5.4.2 The lot size for the Abandon Ship is the total number of food packets.

NOTE: Abandon Ship packets are issued by the packet not cases. The AVI will pay particular 

attention to the shipping container sample size.

5.5 Special Inspection. The AVI will perform special inspections IAW DLA Troop Support 

Handbook 4155.2, Appendix F, Paragraphs III.A thru III.D.

5.6 Monograph. The monograph for the Abandon Ship is posted in the DLA Quality 

Assurance Publications website at,

https://www.troopsupport.dla.mil/subs/support/qapubs/appf/FPSAB01.pdf

5.7 Condition Code and Lot Disposition. The AVI will condition code the Abandon Ship 

IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2, Appendix F, Paragraphs II.G.1 thru II.G.8, III.C.1-2., 

and Table N.

5.8 Shelf Life. The AVI may extend the shelf life of the Abandon Ship based on the 

inspection results and IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2Paragraph VIII.B.a thru 

VIII.B.c.

5.9 Nonconformance Reporting. Perform IAW DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2and 

DLA Troop Support Handbook 4155.2 Appendix F, Paragraphs II.H and III.D.

6.0 RECORD, REPORT, AND FORMS: 6.1 

DSCP Form 5117.

6.2 Maintain a copy of the completed DSCP Form 5117 in the local file.

6.3 Do not post Abandon Ship inspection reports in the Lotus Notes MRE Inspection 

database.

6.4 A CVR will be completed for each ration inspection to establish a record in the ISP 

application and capture the manpower required.

3