I remember being issued arctic rations for a summer exercise in Otterburn, Kielder and Wark forests. Amazingly someone thought there'd be a lot of water around to reconstitute the rats, there wasn't; it was a hot summer too. The water we had (two 58 patt bottles each) was for drinking, so despite 5000 cals a box most lost weight because we couldn't eat the rations! Inspired leadership and supply chain operations. I haven't had the newer ones though.
that sounds awful.. i get mine from a secret source and there always new.
They taste brilliant, even the pilau rice is amazing.