Individual Meal Pack

The Individual Meal Pack or IMP is one type of field ration used by the Canadian Forces. It resembles in many ways the US MRE. The IMP is designed so that a continuous diet of same could conceivably provide all the nutrition needed to sustain a soldier in the field. They meet Canada's nutrition requirements, with the exception of Calcium and folic acid which are not significant if the consumption period of rations is less than 30 (consecutive) days. [ [http://www.mreinfo.com/international/canada/canadian-imp.html MREInfo - Canadian IMP ] ]

Requirements

Three IMPs (breakfast/lunch/dinner) provide approximately 3600 calories, enough to nourish a soldier undergoing strenuous physical activity. The meals are precooked and can therefore be safely consumed either heated or unheated. The entrees are generally consumed heated under ideal circumstances.

IMP Contents

IMP are divided into six different breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

As of 2005, the following items were available (including all options) [Department of National Defence: “IMP 06 Menu, Questionnaire”, 2005] :

*Entrees

**Ham Steak with Mustard Sauce
**Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
**Sausage and Hash Browns
**Beans and Wieners in Tomato Sauce
**Breakfast Sausages
**Omelette with Mushroom Sauce
**Gemelli Pasta and Veg in Tomato Sauce
**Chilli Con Carne
**Beef and Vegetable Stew
**Rotini with Pepperoni and Tomato Sauce
**Chicken á la King
**Swiss Steak with Spanish Sauce
**Veal Cutlet with Mushroom Sauce
**Meatballs in Flavoured Sauce
**Indian Chicken Breast
**Minestrone Stew
**Cannelloni with Meat and Tomato Sauce
**Pork Chow Mein*Fruits & Desserts
**Peaches
**Fruit Cocktail
**Pears
**Pineapple Tidbits
**Raspberry Applesauce
**Cherries
**Sliced Apples
**Apple Sauce
**Blueberries
**Baked Maple Dessert*Beverages
**Coffee – Assorted
**Tea
**Hot Chocolate – Assorted
**Herbal Tea – Assorted
**Peach
**Lemon
**Orange & Pineapple
**Mango
**Strawberry
**Grape
*Soups
**Cream of Mushroom
**Chicken Noodle Soup
**Cream of Tomato Soup*Miscellaneous
**Crunchie Cereals
**Peaches & Cream Oatmeal
**Raisins & Spices Oatmeal
**Baked Apple Oatmeal
**Oriental Rice
**Instant Plain Mashed Potatoes
**Mexican Rice
**Vegetable Rice
**Bread
**Assorted Cookies & Crackers
**Assorted Chocolate Bars
**Jam, Peanut Butter and Marmalade
**Instant Dressing Mix
**Strawberry Pudding
**Banana Pudding

Condiments (sugar, coffee whitener, ketchup, salt, pepper, towelette, matches, paper towel, toothpick) and a spoon are provided in each meal.

Other rations

Other types of rations are used by the Canadian Forces, notably "fresh rations", or cooked meals provided direct from the kitchen or by haybox. There are also patrol packs which are small high-protein snack-type foods (such as beef jerky or shredded cheese) and boxed lunches (consisting of assorted sandwiches, juice, fruit, pasta and a desert) provided for soldiers to consume in situations in which meal preparation is not possible (such as when in contact with enemy forces). The IMP is intended to be issued when fresh rations are not possible, but time and equipment may be available for minimal food preparation. They can also be consumed as emergency rations, unheated.

History

The IMPs appeared in the Canadian Forces in the 1980s, replacing early canned rations. The main menu items of the IMP are "boil in a bag" and require less preparation time and equipment than the previous canned rations.

Preparation and cooking

IMPs are usually "stripped" before field use by removing the cumbersome packaging and discarding extraneous elements the individual soldier does not wish to carry with him. Each bag is contained in a cardboard box, for example, and there are numerous condiment packages which may have no appeal depending on individual tastes.

Every meal can be eaten without any cooking; when circumstances permit, the ideal method of preparation is to cook the entrees in a pressure cooker, heated on the standard issue Coleman stove, or by simply boiling the rations in its package in water. In the 21st Century, chemical cooking pouches have also been issued, allowing for flameless meal heating. Other items can also be improved by boiling or adding water, such as packages of soup, rice, powdered drinks and even the prepackaged bread which is dense and can be softened by exposure to the pressure cooker.

ee also

* Combat ration
* LRRP ration
* United States military ration
* MRE

References

External links

* MRE Info [http://www.mreinfo.com/international/canada/canadian-imp.html website]