ComRAD

1. What is ComRaD?

2. Why use ComRaD?

3. What is MRE?

4. What is FSR?

5. What is MCW?

6. What is UGR-A?

7. What is UGR-H&S?

8. What is MORE?

9. There are three years listed for each MRE. How do I know which one I have so I can look it up?

10. What do "trans fats" have to do with MREs?

11. Are all rations labeled with allergen information?

12. Why don’t the Nutrition Facts on ComRaD show a list of ingredients for each ration component?

13. How are the nutrition standards different for the warrior compared to the general public?

14. Why are the DV percentages of combat rations so high for the nutrients listed on the Nutrition Facts panel?

1. What is ComRaD?

The Combat Rations Database (ComRaD) is an interactive, educational website designed for visitors to view accurate, up-to-date nutritional information on individual combat ration menus as well as the individual food components packed inside them. ComRaD enables warriors, military dietitians, food service officers, and leaders to learn about the nutritional content of their combat rations and use this information to help with fueling for optimal performance. ComRaD is a collaborative effort between the Human Performance Resource Center, Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Command, and United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine.

2. Why use ComRaD?

ComRaD provides warriors with up-to-date nutrition information on combat rations. The nutrition information displayed on ComRaD is a result of actual chemical analysis of rations components to determine their nutritional content. Other available sources of nutritional information include the Nutrition Facts information printed on all ration components. However, the Nutrition Facts labels aren’t always accurate. According to the Nutrition Education and Labeling Act, the nutrition information provided on the manufacturers' Nutrition Facts label is required to be within +/– 20% of the actual value.

3. What is MRE?

MRE, or Meal, Ready-to-Eat, refers to the primary pre-packaged, portable, individual operational ration used by the U.S. Armed Forces. The latest technology and extensive research have gone into preparing today's MRE. Each MRE meal bag is a complete single meal that includes an entree, side, bakery items, condiments, and beverage mix. Four of the 24 menu varieties available are vegetarian. A flameless ration heater included in the MRE meal bag allows for a hot meal on the go. Ongoing research continues to produce ever-more-appetizing menu items that provide the best nutrition possible to optimize warrior performance. For more information on this ration, please see the Leader's Guide to Operational Rations.

4. What is FSR?

First Strike Ration® (FSR for short) is a compact, nutritionally optimized ration intended for use during high-intensity, highly mobile combat operations. It is designed to be consumed on-the-go and contains an entire day's nutrition in a single-menu package. Technology at work again: FSR's weight and volume are 50% less compared to MRE, to reduce the load of warriors during short-term, high-intensity operations. For more information on this ration, please see the Leader's Guide to Operational Rations.

5. What is MCW?

MCW stands for Meal, Cold Weather. As the name suggests, this ration is designed for extreme cold-weather operations. This ration includes a freeze-dried entree, spread, crackers, snack items, powdered beverages, spoon, and accessory packet suitable for extreme-cold environments. The high-calorie content of each menu satisfies the high nutritional demands of extreme environmental conditions. For more information on this ration, please see the Leader's Guide to Operational Rations.

6. What is UGR-A

Unitized Group Ration-A (UGR-A) is the primary commercial group operational ration used by the U.S. Armed Forces. UGR-A is unique in that it’s the only operational ration that contains perishable frozen components, providing higher quality and acceptance. Each UGR-A module provides a nutritionally complete meal that includes an entree, side, vegetable, bakery items, snacks, condiments, and beverages for 50 individuals. There are 7 breakfast and 14 lunch/dinner menus available. Some lunch/dinner menus contain two entrees so warriors have a choice. Milk comes separate but is mandatory. Ongoing market research continues to develop menu items that provide the best nutrition possible to optimize warrior performance. For more information on this ration, please see the Leader's Guide to Operational Rations.

7. What is UGR-H&S?

Unitized Group Ration Heat & Serve (UGR-H&S) is a shelf-stable group operational ration used by the Army and Marines Corps. UGR-H&S does not require refrigeration, but it does need a field feeding kitchen to prepare the meals. Each UGR-H&S module provides nutritionally complete meals that include an entree, side, vegetable, bakery items, snacks, condiments, and beverages for 50 individuals. There are 3 breakfast and 10 lunch/dinner menus available. Some lunch/dinner menus contain 2 entrees so warriors have a choice. Milk comes separate but is mandatory. For more information on this ration, please see the Leader's Guide to Operational Rations.

8. What is MORE?

The Modular Operational Ration Enhancement (MORE) is designed to augment daily operational rations with additional nutrients tailored to high altitude/cold weather and hot weather operational and training environments. Type I (high altitude/cold weather) is designed to provide optimal nutrition during operations and training exercises in conditions below 40°F (4°C). Type II (hot weather) is designed to provide optimal nutrition during operations and training exercises in conditions above 70°F (21°C). Either type can be used between 40°–70° F (4–21° C). For more information on this ration, please see the Leader's Guide to Operational Rations.

9. There are three years listed for each MRE. How do I know which one I have so I can look it up?

Each calendar year the nutritional content of individual MRE meals might change due to the addition or removal of particular items to improve the appeal and variety of the meals. Each MRE case container and main entrée package includes the date of pack, which identifies the MRE year of production. The date-of-pack information is printed on the major flaps of the MRE case container closure, immediately to the right of the marked end. On a main entrée package located in an individual meal, the date-of-pack information is printed on the exterior of the pouch. The printing of the date of pack is represented by a “Julian code”: The first number of the four-digit code identifies the year of production. For example, any code beginning with 7### indicates MRE 2017, 8### indicates MRE 2018, 9### indicates MRE 2019, and so forth.

10. What do "trans fats" have to do with MREs?

Trans fatty acids—TFAs for short—are the kinds of fats you want to stay away from as much as possible. A small amount is unavoidable and okay, but this is the type of fat that can raise bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Pending regulations have specified that the TFA content of rations should be as low as possible, but TFAs—specifically partially hydrogenated oils—have been shown to improve texture, extend shelf life, and increase a product's ability to withstand the negative effects of oxidation, so until recently complete removal of TFAs has been a challenge for food scientists. From 2012 through 2017, the TFA content of MRE menus was reduced by 70%. As of 2018, however, the use of partially hydrogenated oils is prohibited for all food items in Operational Rations. For more information about TFAs, check out this American Heart Association web page.

11. Are all rations labeled with allergen information?

All rations are labeled to meet the requirements of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, which requires that food-product labels clearly identify if the product contains any of the eight major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. In addition, manufacturers are required to follow good manufacturing practices, such as preventing allergen ingredients used in one product from transferring to another, to further reduce the chance of allergic reactions.

12. Why don’t the Nutrition Facts on ComRaD show a list of ingredients for each ration component?

Different manufacturers may use different ingredients during production, as long as the finished product meets the set of performance and nutrition requirements specified for the item. As a result, the actual ingredients for an item may vary, even when the nutrients don’t. It’s very important for individuals with a known food allergy to read the ingredient and allergen statements on each ration component prior to consumption, to ensure they have the most up-to-date information.

13. How are the nutrition standards different for the warrior compared to the general public?

Combat rations are designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of warriors conducting missions in operational environments. During combat operations, warriors engage in moderate to heavy physical activity and, therefore, have increased nutrient needs compared to the needs of the civilian population. Combat rations are required to meet the minimum standards stated in the Nutrition Standards for Operational and Restricted Rations (AR 40-25) set forth by the Department of the Army, Office of the Surgeon General. For more information, please see the Warfighter’s Guide to Performance Nutrition and Operational Rations.

14. Why are the DV percentages of combat rations so high for the nutrients listed on the Nutrition Facts panel?

Daily Values are based on the Reference Daily Intakes (RDIs) established for the general civilian population. Civilian population nutrient needs are significantly lower than those of active-duty military, so RDIs are substantially lower compared to the Military Dietary Reference Intakes (Chapter 2 of AR 40-25, the Nutritional Standards for Operational and Restricted Rations).