10 - in - 1 food parcel The 10 - in - 1 food parcel , commonly known as the 10 - in - 1 ration was a field ration prepared for soldiers of the United States Army , intended to provide one meal for 10 men . Development . Although the possibility of packing the B ration in units of ten was suggested early in the Second World War , progress on such an arrangement did not begin until 1943 when the Mountain , Jungle , and 5 - in - 1 rations were discontinued . The success of the British " compo " or 14 - in - 1 ration during the North African campaign in 1942 and the movement to classify field rations into four categories added incentive for development of the 10 - in - 1 ration . A guide to its rapid development was furnished in the following 1943 definition : " A small - group field ration [ shall be ] composed of components of the standard field ration type B ( modified to reduce bulk and weight ) packed in basic packages of five complete rations each . . . . The inner and outer packages are to be proof against water , vapor , moisture , and chemical agents . They are to be of such shape and dimensions as to be suitable for either animal - pack or man - carry , and sufficiently sturdy as to material and construction to withstand normal handling and transportation in motor vehicles , on pack animals or by individual portage . " Specification requirements were quickly published , and the ration was standardized as the replacement for other group rations such as the 5 - in - 1 ration . Although superseding the 5 - in - 1 , the 10 - in - l was essentially two 5 - in - 1s packed in one unit . Within such a combination , a greater variety of contents was possible ; the number of " menus " was increased to five , compared to the three - menu arrangement of the 5 - in - 1 . In ensuing war years , several revisions were made to the original specification , but their intended purpose of providing one day ' s food for ten men , remained unaltered . Within the daily plan , complete group meals were specified for breakfast and supper while a partial dinner unit was provided for the luncheon meal . A typical menu included such canned items as butter - substitute spread , soluble coffee , pudding , meat units , jam , evaporated milk , and vegetables as well as biscuits , cereal , beverages , candy , salt , and sugar . Accessory items were cigarettes , matches , can opener , toilet paper , soap , towels , and water - purification ( Halazone ) tablets . The partial dinner unit was enclosed in a cellophane bag - in - carton for easy distribution to the individual soldier for his noontime meal . Within the unit were biscuits , a confection , beverage powder , sugar , gum , and a can opener . These items were provided on the theory that an individual " snack " was sufficient for midday meals , when there would be neither time nor opportunity to prepare the ration for group feeding . Revision . The similarity of the partial unit to the K ration was a chief reason for the proposed revision of the 10 - in - 1 in 1945 . The revised 10 - in - 1 was intended for use during and after the 1945 planned attack on Japan during World War II . It was planned to eliminate the unit ration concept , and to assemble the entire ration on the basis of three group meals rather than two group meals and one individual luncheon package . Although it was recognized that the overall weight of the ration would be increased thereby , it was felt that the added weight would be offset by the increased acceptability and nutritional value which a greater variety of components would provide . The end of the war prevented realization of such a plan in the 10 - in - 1 , leaving a surplus of food . Through the form of CARE Package s , the humanitarian group CARE provided a means to transfer the ration surplus to those starving in Europe . Over 300 million rations , costing about 85 cents each , were procured under the 10 - in - 1 title from mid - 1943 to the end of World War II . No other group ration was procured during that period . Hence , in actuality as well as nomenclature , " Ration , 10 - in - 1 " was the final small - group ration of World War II .