US Military Creates Indestructible Sandwich

Spudley writes "They're capable of surviving airdrops and extreme climates, and able to stay fresh for over 3 years, and the US military wants them to supplement their existing battlefield rations. The article predicts they'll eventually make it to the grocery store too. Apparently, soldiers who tried the pepperoni and barbecue-chicken pocket sandwiches have found them "acceptable"."

Comments

Only "acceptable".

[Matthias Wiesmann]

Soldier talking to the media tend to be very positive about stuff comming from their side - or be in trouble.

Most food I ate in the military was officially considerd delicious (edible if you are hungry) or very good (tastes like dog food). If they told the press that the food is acceptable, I cannot fathom how disgusting this must be... shudder.

"Acceptable" eh?

[reaper20]

Scientist - "So, how do you like these new sandwiches?"
Tired Grunt - "These taste like absolute shit, the only reason I'm eating this is because I haven't eaten all day and I'm hungry as hell."

Scientist jots down "acceptable".

That's good because...

[MarkusQ]

....sandwiches that stay fresh up to three years...

This is good news because it isn't that good for you to subsist on nothing but Twinkies.

--MarkusQ

MRE not that bad

[MarkusQ]

I haven't found MREs to be all that objectionable. The thing to remember is that you don't eat them when you're staying in a five star hotel, just as you wouldn't sleep on the ground or catch rain water to drink. Conversely, you don't haul an espresso machine and a queen sized bed on your back for fifty miles just so you'll have "all the comforts" at the end of the day.

If you think in terms of food quality per Kg hauled (and remember that it's frequently you that's going to be doing the hauling), MREs are great--much better than trying to scrounge for twigs and berries, or going hungry.

--MarkusQ

Re:MRE not that bad

[MarkusQ]

Why not eat your enemies it would give you incentive to kill kill kill !!!

Well, for one thing, you'd still have to carry in all the condements, etc. For another, most of my enemies aren't backpackers, so I'd have to haul them in too. And lastly, given what I think most of them are full of, I'm not sure I'd like the taste.

MREs seem a lot easier and more appitizing.

-- MarkusQ

Re:MRE not that bad

[Rorschach1]

The ham slice is just plain nasty, though. Every one I've had has somehow managed to be totally dry, despite soaking in a packet of juice.

Chicken a la king is pretty good. Smells a bit like dog food, but oh well. The vacuum-sealed crackers are great with the peanut butter.

The freeze-dried peaches, on the other hand, should be kept around for packing fragile items for shipping.

Have to Wonder

[4of12]

"They're capable of surviving airdrops and extreme climates, and able to stay fresh for over 3 years, and the US military wants them to supplement their existing battlefield rations. The article predicts they'll eventually make it to the grocery store too. Apparently, soldiers who tried the pepperoni and barbecue-chicken pocket sandwiches have found them "acceptable"."

So if they're capable of surviving all that trauma and still able to "keep fresh", I have to wonder if they're not too durable.

Like, for example, if, after being eaten, the chewed up sandwich comes out the other end looking essentially the same as when it went down the esophagous.

My guideline: if bugs and bacteria don't like to eat something, then it's probably not meant for human consumption, either.

Re:Have to Wonder

[pmz]

Without oxygen, anaerobic bacteria, such as those that cause botulism, can still grow. Chemicals will still be needed, unless the food can be guaranteed sterile when packaged.

I _like_ MREs

[jfengel]

I am not a soldier, but I find MREs wonderful for certain kinds of activity (long bike rides, a few days' camping). They're vastly preferable to freeze-dried food (which are still lighter, since they have no water, and are the only option for long-term use unless you want live off the land.)

You don't eat 'em until you're hungry, and then they're very filling, which is all you want. And they don't taste nearly as bad as the jokes I've read so far here. They're actually quite tasty. Hardly haute cuisine, but at least as good as most American fast food. That may not seem like praise, but you've seen the numbers in which people scarf that up.

The single coolest thing about them is the heater packs. They come with bags containing a sheet of some chemical which reacts with water to give off a LOT of heat (and hydrogen gas). They're capable of taking food from frozen to too-hot-to-eat in a few minutes, without building a fire. Nothing makes a cold, miserable person happier faster than hot food.

The second coolest thing is the mini-bottles of Tabasco sauce.

Nothing like firsthand experience.

[slashdot_commentator]

You can try ordering from this company: Longlifefood.com

The "variety pack is roughly $20 USD. Another must buy is a pack of chemical heaters. They look like a plastic bag with flat, metal brillo pad. Stick in the the MRE, put in a little water, and boy does that package get hot! Shipping costs are bundled into the price of each item, and the company puts a 20% discount on the final price. They end up costing slightly more than a TV dinner, and they taste about as good as one. They don't need refrigeration and are great for extended camping trips.