INCH-POUND

MIL-PRF-32176A

15 January 2021

SUPERSEDING

MIL-PRF-32176

22 October 2004

PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION

BAG, HOT BEVERAGE

This specification is approved for use by all Departments and Agencies of the Department of 

Defense.

1. SCOPE

1.1 Scope. This specification covers a hot beverage bag, to be used in conjunction with a 

flameless ration heater (FRH), a beverage powder and potable water. This item is for use by 

the Department of Defense as a supplement to operational rations.

2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

2.1 General. The documents listed in this section are specified in sections 3, 4 or 5 of this 

specification. This section does not include documents cited in other sections of this 

specification or recommended for additional information or as examples. While every effort 

has been made to ensure the completeness of this list, document users are cautioned that they 

must meet all specified requirements of documents cited in sections 3, 4 or 5 of this 

specification, whether or not they are listed.

AMSC N/A FSC 8970

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

2.2 Government documents, drawings and publications.

Comments, suggestions or questions on this document should be addressed to Combat

Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center, FCDD-SCD-SCR, 10 

General Greene Avenue, Natick, MA 01760-5056 or emailed to 

elizabeth.r.painter2.civ@mail.mil. Since contact information can change, you may want to 

verify the currency of this address information using the ASSIST Online database at 

https://assist.dla.mil/.
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2.2.1 Specifications, standards and handbooks. None.

2.2.2 Other government documents. The following other Government documents 

drawings and publications form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. Unless 

otherwise specified, the issues of these documents are those cited in the solicitation or 

contract.

 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and regulations promulgated thereunder 

(21 CFR Parts 170-189)

(Copies of this document are available online at www.gpo.gov/ or from Superintendent of 

Documents, ATTN: New Orders, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954.)

2.3 Non-government publications. None.

2.4 Order of precedence. In the event of a conflict between the text of this document and 

the references cited herein, the text of this document takes precedence. Nothing in this 

document, however, supersedes applicable laws and regulations unless a specific exemption 

has been obtained.

3. REQUIREMENTS

3.1 First article. When specified (see 6.2), a sample shall be subjected to first article 

inspection in accordance with 4.2.

3.2 Material. The contractor shall select materials capable of meeting all operating, 

interface, interoperability, and environmental requirements specified herein.

3.3 Operating requirements.

3.3.1 Chemical and physical properties. The material shall show no evidence of 

degradation or foreign odor when heat sealed or fabricated into bags. The material shall be 

suitably formulated for hot beverage packaging and shall not impart an odor or flavor to the 

product.

3.3.2 Color. The material shall be clear or translucent so that the water level is visible 

through the bag.

3.3.3 Food safety. The material used in the hot beverage bag itself shall be safe for use 

with food by reference to, and in accordance with 21 CFR, Parts 170-189, applicable material 

safety datasheets, or other recognized health standards and regulations.
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3.3.4 Bag.

3.3.4.1 Bag integrity. The bag body, bottom and sides shall not leak.

3.3.4.2 Heat seals. Heat seals shall have an effective seal width. Seals shall be free of 

wrinkles or misalignment.

3.3.5 Interlocking closure.

3.3.5.1 Closure integrity. The interlocking closure and sides shall not leak more than 20 

ml of water.

3.3.5.2 Closure operation. The interlocking closure shall be aligned as observed visually 

and shall open and close with ease without damage to the closure or bag.

3.4 Interface and interoperability requirements.

3.4.1 Bag. The bag shall conform to design and dimensions of Figure 1 that will allow it 

to fit in the FRH and Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) sleeve.

3.4.2 Interlocking closure. The interlocking closure shall conform to design of Figure 1 

that will allow it to be used for drinking or pouring a beverage from an MRE sleeve.

3.4.3 Labeling. One side of the plastic heating bag shall be correctly and legibly printed 

with permanent black ink or other, dark, contrasting color which is free of carcinogenic 

elements. The instructions printed on the bag shall not obscure the fill lines. The following 

information shall be printed on the bag:

HOT BEVERAGE BAG

WARNING
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To avoid a burn, beverage heating time

should not exceed 6 minutes.

Use caution when handling HOT beverage bag.

DIRECTIONS

1. Open beverage bag. Fill with water

to appropriate fill line. Add beverage powder.

2. Remove air from bag, then secure closure.

3. Place beverage bag in FRH as you would

an MRE entrée.

4. Activate FRH.

5. Load FRH/beverage bag into an MRE sleeve.

6. Heat 4 to 6 minutes. Remove HOT beverage bag.

Discard FRH. Save sleeve.

7. Place beverage bag back in sleeve. Sleeve insulates

hot beverage and protects hands from heat.

8. Open beverage bag. Drink beverage.

3.5 Environmental requirement. The bag shall operate after exposure to the FRH thermal 

process. The bag shall exhibit no failures, deformities or degradation.

4. VERIFICATION

4.1 Classification of inspections. The inspection requirements specified herein are 

classified as follows:

a. First article inspection (see 4.2).

b. Conformance inspection (see 4.3).

4.2 First article inspection. The first article shall be inspected in accordance with the 

provisions of this document and evaluated for overall appearance and performance. Any 

failure to conform to the performance requirements or any appearance or performance 

failure, shall be cause for rejection of the lot. The approved first article shall be used as the 

product standard. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support – Subsistence shall select 
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sample units during production of contracts and submit them to the following address for 

evaluation:

COMBAT CAPABILITIES DEVELOPMENT COMMAND (DEVCOM)

SOLDIER CENTER

FCDD-SCD-SCR

10 GENERAL GREENE AVENUE

NATICK, MA 01760-5000

Three (3) sample units of each item produced shall be randomly selected from that one 

production lot or as otherwise specified in the contract. The three (3) sample units shall be 

shipped to Natick within five (5) working days from the end of the production month and 

upon completion of all inspection requirements. The sample units shall be evaluated for 

operating, interface, interoperability and environmental requirements.

4.3 Conformance inspection. Conformance inspection shall include the tests from table I 

and the examinations of 4.4 and 4.5 performed on specified samples.

TABLE I. Verification methods 1/

Title Requirement Verification

Operating requirements 3.3 4.5.1

 Chemical and physical properties 3.3.1 4.4

 Color 3.3.2 4.5.1.1

 Food safety 3.3.3 4.4

 Bag 3.3.4 4.5.1.2

 Bag integrity 3.3.4.1 4.5.1.2.1

 Heat seals 3.3.4.2 4.5.1.2.2

 Interlocking closure 3.3.5 4.5.1.3

 Closure integrity 3.3.5.1 4.5.1.3.1

 Closure operation 3.3.5.2 4.5.1.3.2

Interface and interoperability requirements 3.4 4.5.2

 Bag 3.4.1 4.5.2.1

 Interlocking closure 3.4.2 4.5.2.2

 Labeling 3.4.3 4.4

Environmental requirement 3.5 4.5.3

1/ A Certificate of Conformance (CoC) may be accepted as evidence of compliance to these 

requirements.

4.4 Bag examination. The bag shall be examined for compliance with the requirements 

in 3.3.1, 3.3.3, 3.4.2 and 3.4.3. Defects and defect classifications are listed in table II.

TABLE II. Bag defects 1/ 2/
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Category Defect

Major Minor

101 Tear or hole or open seal.

102 Unclean bag.

103 Bag has foreign odor.

104 Interlocking closure missing.

201 Label missing or incorrect or illegible.

1/ Presence of any foreign materials such as, but not limited to dirt, insect parts, hair, wood, 

glass, metal, or any foreign odors such as, but not limited to burnt, scorched, shall be cause 

for rejection of the lot.

2/ Any evidence of rodent or insect infestation shall be cause for rejection of the lot.

4.5 Tests.

4.5.1 Operating requirements.

4.5.1.1 Color. Fill the bag with minimum 4 oz. of water. The water level in the bag shall 

be easily discernible through the bag material. Inability to discern the water level shall 

constitute a test failure.

4.5.1.2 Bag.

4.5.1.2.1 Bag integrity. Fill the bag to the 12 oz. line with minimum 140oF (+ 5oF) water. 

Seal the bag at the closure. Wipe any water off exterior of bag. Suspend bag in upright 

position for 10 minutes above a clean pan. The collection of any water in the pan shall 

constitute a test failure.

4.5.1.2.2 Heat seals. Visually examine the heat seals. Heat seals with severe wrinkles, 

that are misaligned or that are improperly formed shall constitute a test failure.

4.5.1.3 Interlocking closure.

4.5.1.3.1 Closure integrity. Fill the bag to the 12 oz. line with minimum 140oF (+ 5oF) 

water. Seal the bag at the closure. Wipe any water off exterior of bag. Suspend bag in upside 

down position for 15 seconds above a clean pan. Collect and measure leaked water. Leaked 

water in excess of 20 ml shall constitute a test failure.
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4.5.1.3.2 Closure operation. The interlocking closure shall be aligned and the closure 

shall easily open and close without excessive care or force when applying pressure with the 

fingers. Misalignment or difficulty opening or closing the bag shall constitute a test failure.

4.5.2 Interface and interoperability requirements.

4.5.2.1 Bag. Visually examine the bag design and measure the dimensions. Fill the bag 

with 12 oz. of water. Place filled bag into an FRH. Then place filled bag in an MRE sleeve. 

A bag that does not fit in the FRH or the MRE sleeve shall constitute a test failure.

4.5.2.2 Interlocking closure. Visually examine the bag to confirm that the design 

complies with Figure 1. Any nonconformance shall constitute a test failure.

4.5.3 Environmental requirement. Fill the bag with 12 oz. of minimum 70oF water. Heat 

the filled bag with an FRH in accordance with the directions. Remove from FRH and put 

filled bag in an MRE sleeve. Hold for 5 minutes. Remove bag from sleeve and inspect for 

leakage, deformities or degradation. Open the interlocking closure and pour the water out. 

Again inspect for leakage, deformities, degradation or another defect that hampers bag 

operation. Leakage, deformities, degradation or another defect that hampers bag operation 

shall constitute a test failure.

5. PACKAGING

5.1 Packaging. For acquisition purposes, the packaging requirements shall be as 

specified in the contract or order (see 6.2). When packaging of materiel is to be performed by 

DoD or in-house contractor personnel, these personnel need to contact the responsible 

packaging activity to ascertain packaging requirements. Packaging requirements are 

maintained by the Inventory Control Point’s packaging activities within the Military Service 

or Defense Agency, or within the military services’s system commands. Packaging data 

retrieval is available from the managing Military Department’s or Defense Agency’s 

automated packaging files or by contacting the responsible packaging activity.

6. NOTES

(This section contains information of a general or explanatory nature that may be helpful, 

but is not mandatory.)

6.1 Intended use. The hot beverage bag covered by this specification is intended for use 

as a supplement in operational rations. The bag may be used for direct drinking of a hot 

beverage when the heated beverage in the bag is placed in an MRE sleeve. The bag is also 

used as a hydrating bag. The hot beverage bag is military unique since it must withstand high 

temperatures when heated in the FRH, and interface with the FRH and the MRE sleeve.
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6.2 Acquisition requirements. Acquisition documents should specify the following:

a. Title, number and date of this specification.

b. When first article is required (see 3.1).

c. Packaging requirements (see 5.1).

6.3 Bag material and design. During the developmental work for this item, it was 

determined that a high density polyethylene film (HDPE) of a minimum 0.002 inch thickness 

performed adequately. The bag was constructed with 1/8 inch wide heat sealed sides and a 

folded bottom (a heat sealed bottom would also be acceptable). Figure 1 shows the basic 

design and dimensions of the bag tested during the developmental efforts.

6.4 Shelf life. Not applicable.

6.5 Subject term (key word) listing.

Ration

Meal, Ready-to-Eat

Custodians: Preparing activity:

 Army - GL Army - GL

 Navy - SA

 Air Force - 35 (Project 8970-2021-002)
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Review activities:

 Army - MD, QM

 Navy - MC

 DLA - SS

Civil agency: 

 USDA - SCP

 NOTE: The activities listed above were interested in this document as of the date of this 

document. Since organizations and responsibilities can change, you should verify the 

currency of the information above using the ASSIST Online database at https://assist.dla.mil. 
MIL-PRF-32176A

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FIGURE 1. Hot Beverage Bag

(Not actual size)