Availability of shelf-stable foods: Advances in production of meal ready to eat (MRE)

Abstract

The global food supply chain continues to be vulnerable to threats from a variety of directions. Food security and safety became a hot topic worldwide in the academic research arena and food industry practices. Recognizing that food could be a cause of significant disaster in communities, the need to secure safe and wholesome food is imperative during and after terrorist acts in addition to natural and/or man-made disasters. The availability of foods ready to eat which victims can consume immediately during and after catastrophic events is considered necessary. Foods in retort pouch in form of Meal Ready to Eat (MRE) could serve the ideal food during crises. The history of the development of retort pouch goes back to Second World War and has not become a reality until the 1980s. Food in retort pouch has proven to be a successful combat ration and the food of choice for military during conflicts and wars. Production capabilities and availability of foods in retort pouch are evolving. The ability of existing food processing methods and advanced/emerging technologies to produce safe food in retort pouch has proven its reliability and conformance to food regulations. Currently, foods in retort pouch are existed in every supermarket and in sufficient supply of nutritionally adequate and safe for humanitarian purposes in peacetime or during crises. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.