LESSON 3
INSPECTION OF MEALS, READY-TO-EAT
3-1.
RECEIPT INSPECTION GUIDANCE
a. Use the same sampling criteria and defect tables for receipt inspections that
are used for surveillance inspections.
b. In addition, inspectors shall advise DSCP (AFESC/DEHF for Air Force
inspection activities) when containers/products fail to comply with the essential receipt
criteria identified in the appropriate monographs.
c. Notification to the responsible authority should be by the most expeditious
means when there is a possibility that warranty action can be initiated. The Medical
Food Inspector (MFI) will be provided additional guidance concerning warranty
inspection/actions if it is required.
3-2.
ROUTINE INSPECTION PROCEDURES
a. STEP 1: Evaluate Storage Conditions for Sanitation.
(1)
Storage conditions vary significantly. At a minimum:
(a) Meals, Ready-to-Eat storage areas should be clean and dry.
(b) Meals, Ready-to-Eat should be stored on pallets, not directly on the
floor.
(c)
The area should be free of pests in accordance with:
1 MIL-STD 904, Detection, Identification, and Prevention of Pest
Infestation of Subsistence.
2 TIM-38, Protecting MRE During Storage.
(2) When multiple pallets of MRE are warehoused in a storage facility they
should meet the additional standards of MIL-STD 3006, Guidelines for Auditing Food
Establishments. Meals, Ready-to-Eat cannot be stacked more than four pallets high
without the use of storage aids, such as pallet racks/pallet sets, and so forth. These
pallet racks/pallet sets should support the full weight of any additional pallets. The
pallet(s) that are stored above shall not be in contact with or supported by the pallets
beneath.
MD0718
3-2