Vegetarian Meals in the Meal, Ready-To-Eat™ (MRE™)

 According to the American Dietetic Association approximately 2.5% of adults in the United States follow vegetarian diets. In addition, more and more Warfighters are becoming health conscious and/or prefer an occasional meatless meal to add variety to the 24 Meal, Ready-to-Eat™ (MRE™) Menu entrées.

Why Are They Needed?

After Operation Desert Storm, surveys indicated that Warfighter food preferences closely resembled those of the general non-military population. Warfighters wanted more ethnic foods and more vegetarian offerings. Consequently, the development of vegetarian meals was included in the Fielded Individual Ration Improvement Project (FIRIP) which was initiated in 1993 to provide continuous product improvement for the MRE™ and other individual combat rations.

Key Features/Benefits

There are 4 vegetarian menus available, two in each MRE™ case (A and B). MRE™ XXVIII vegetarian menus contain Vegetable Lasagna and Veggie Burger in BBQ Sauce in Case A, and Cheese Tortellini, and Penne with Vegetarian Sausage in Spicy Tomato Sauce in Case B. These wholesome vegetarian meals include an entrée and other complementary meal items, such as crackers, spreads, nuts, baked items/snack, wet pack fruits and beverages to make up the meal. The vegetarian meals must comply with the applicable shelf life and size requirements specified for the MRE™. The ingredients and component products of a vegetarian meal must also comply with established vegetarian lacto-ovo guidelines which includes dairy and egg products, but prohibits animal products such as beef, pork, poultry, or animal by-products. In addition, ingredients containing alcohol, such as certain flavorings, are prohibited in the vegetarian meals. Non-prohibited ingredients include, but are not limited to: cereal, grains, breads, pasta, legumes, vegetables, fruits, and nuts.

Comments

The DoD Combat Feeding Program works closely with the Office of the Surgeon General to ensure that food safety and nutritional standards for all meals, including vegetarian meals are met. As part of the FIRIP, new and improved vegetarian meals will continue to be included in future MRE™ menus based on Warfighter testing and feedback.

MRE™ INDIVIDUAL VEGETARIAN MENUS - MRE™, XXVIII PRODUCTION
MENU 11 MENU 12 MENU 13 MENU 14
Vegetable lasagna Veggie burger in BBQ sauce Cheese tortellini Penne w/vegetarian sausage in spicy tomato sauce
Fruit, wet pack Fruit, dried Spiced apples Fruit, dried
Pound cake Chocolate banana muffin top FIRST STRIKE™ bar Pound cake
Cracker, plain (2) Wheat snack bread Cracker, plain Cracker, plain
Peanut butter   Peanut butter, chunky Peanut butter
    Candy II*  
Cocoa, hazelnut CHO fortified beverage Sugar free beverage CHO fortified beverage
Hot sauce Hot sauce Seasoning blend Seasoning blend
Spoon Spoon Spoon Spoon
FRH FRH FRH FRH
Accessory pack B Accessory pack B Accessory pack C Accessory pack C
Lemon tea Lemon tea Lemon tea Lemon tea
Salt Salt Salt Salt
Gum Gum Gum Gum
Matches Matches Matches Matches
Tissue Tissue Tissue Tissue
Towelette Towelette Towelette Towelette
* Chocolate Pan Coated Disks, Pan Coated Disks w/Peanut Butter & Pan Coated Disks w/Peanuts

 
 
 
 
Vegetarian ingredients
 
Vegetarian MRE™ Items
 
Vegetarian MRE™ Items
Last Update: 03 October 2006