How US Army Technology Gave Rise to the McRib

Munchies ^ | Nov 24 2017, 2:00pm | Anastacia Marx de Salcedo

[Trillian]

The US Army pioneered restructured meats in the 1960s, and that technology found its way into beloved fast food menu staples.

I have been aging the Rib Shaped, Barbecue Flavor Pork Patty from Menu 16 on the shelf behind my desk since February 2012, when I was given it during a tour of the US Army Natick Soldier Research, Engineering and Development Center. By law, combat rations are designed to last for three years at 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so I'm not overly worried about food poisoning. Still, it's definitely long past its expiration date. But the perfect occasion to taste my now-vintage Meal, Ready to Eat (a.k.a. MRE) never came along. Until now: the MUNCHIES theme week on fast food.

I scissor across the end of the pouch and tumble the rectangular "rib" onto a plate. The pebbly textured meat is caramel brown and crossed by four raised "bones." Not unappealing, except if you peek in the package. The meat juice is a bizarrely bright yellowish-orange; I quickly tilt the pouch up to keep it from splashing out. Following the civilized example set by our Tweeter-in-Chief, I slice off an end with a knife and fork. It's porky and slightly smoky, although there's a tinny aftertaste, probably from some of the preservatives used to keep it fresh so long. Using a couple of "wheat snack breads" and the packet of dark, oily "BBQ" sauce that came with it, I assemble a sandwich and take a bite. Not bad! Scatter a couple onion slices and pickles on top, and the whole thing would be pretty damn close to a McRib.

Which makes perfect sense. Seeing how consumers go loco for the ersatz baby backs when they appear at McD's, why wouldn't the US military want to provide a similar treat for

[1_Inch_Group]

1 is awesome. 2 makes me want to skip next year. Moderation...or ruin next year’s release. :P

[TheCipher]

I grew up in Natick. In 1969, some members from Natick Labs came to our 2nd grade class and showed us the "space food" in development. I remembered they let us taste the peas. They also gave us these pictures. I think the prototype for the "McRib " is probably in one of them :

[HLPhat]

>>Parts is Parts

[Noumenon]

[Chode]

MRE date code check

http://www.mreinfo.com/mres/mre-date-converter/

[Calvin Locke]

IIRC, in the book "King Rat", the Allied POWs in the care of Japan were eating rat meat and ground cockroaches to get the protein and calories.

I came across an article that said the typical vegetarian lasts about nine years before going back to meat.

And sometimes it's because of health issues.

Isn't the commercial importation of Vegemite banned because of presence/absence of a vitamin being a concern for vegetarians?

(Vegemite sandwich, probably not. Vegemite on crackers or a half piece of toast, sure, why not.)

[Big Red Badger]

Good list for MRE’s...
I have a couple cases
leftover from the Mayflower!

[kaktuskid]

No Space Food Sticks?

[Chode]

i suggest you stay away from the fish... 8^)

[stylin19a]

thanks, thanks alot.
ham and m’fers just flashed thru my mind and i felt a little throw up in my mouth.

[JoeFromSidney]

When I as a stationed in Thailand in 1962, I went on a field exercise. They fed us with C-rations dated from WWII. Still edible.

[Axenolith]

Ahhhhghhh. You have committed a crime against my eyes !!!

[Axenolith]

Scrapple is the way to go when it comes to oinkless meat products :-)

[discostu]

Let’s not go blaming the Army for that inedible hunk of crap.

[CygnusXI]

LOVE the Mcrib. IDC what its made of.
Past couple years cannot get it in Minnesotastan... have no clue WHY they stopped offering it... /sarc.

[Chode]

[Terry Mross]

Carl from SLING BLADE said there’s peckers in potted meat. And I’m sure he’s right. Mmmm Mmm. My grandma called it spotted meat.

[Robert A Cook PE]

In 1975, we were shooting 3 inch USN cannon shells packed in ether-filled cans dating from the middle of WWII.

[ExNewsExSpook]

Took a trip to Oahu last year, and stopped in a local grocery for a few items. The varieties of Spam sold in Hawaii is absolutely mind-boggling. Flavor combinations you’d never dream of are available to Spam lovers in the islands.

Ate a lot of fried Spam sandwiches in my youth. I resisted the temptation to try some of more exotic varieties available in Hawaii. Still the same “meat;” (and I use that term advisedly. Amazing what they can do with food additives and flavoring.

[outofsalt]

McRib Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
1 sandwich
Amount Per Serving
Calories
480
Calories From Fat
200
Total Fat
22g
34%
Saturated Fat
7.0g
35%
Trans Fat
0.0g
 
Cholesterol
80mg
27%
Sodium
870mg
36%
Total Carbohydrates
45g
15%
Dietary Fiber
2g
8%
Sugars
12g
 
Protein
25g
50%
Vitamin A
 
2%
Vitamin C
 
2%
Calcium
 
6%
Iron
 
20%
Weight Watchers SmartPoints 15
Weight Watchers PointsPlus 13