Does anybody worry about the health effects of partially hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup in their MRE's or other emergency supplies?

As long as the ration keeps me alive, I don''t really care. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I'd be more concerned about those ingredients in my normal daily food intake. If I keep those foods in my 72 hour kit then I'm not concerned; its goal is to keep me going in the first few days after an emergency. My body could tolerate preservatives, trans-fats and corn syrup in that short time frame.

I don't worry about those, just MSG, because I'm allergic to it and it will send me straight into anaphylactic shock in about 2 - 4 hours after consuming it. I have to read labels constantly for it and the other names used for it. I consider it the bane of canned/packaged foods for me. I came near death from eating a hamburger with MSG-treated lettuce one time from Sonic. I was very lucky to survive. I always carry an antihistamine with me.

Perhaps you should carry an Epi-pen with you. My wife is allergic to bee stings & always has one with her.

Like the rest of the folks said, one should worry about these substances in the long run. Of course if you have a year worth of MREs that you are planning to consume when all hell breaks loose, then maybe you should worry about them. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Otherwise, probably not a big concern.

p.s. After reading labels on some MREs, I realized that they do not have any preservatives in them, just flavor enhancers, so people with allergies to preservatives will probably be able to consume them without too much trouble.

Yeah I considered it. My brother has the same problem. I found as long as I have Benedryl I'm okay. But now I had to go with Claritin as my Neurologist (I have seizures) told me to stay off of Benedryl because of how it affects the CNS. I found that the prescription antihistimine Vistril worked good too.

It was just the heaviest dose ever with that Sonic lettuce, it was sprayed real heavy. They pre-cut and sprayed it with MSG, then packaged it and distributed it to the stores. I felt my heart start to race and hands start to tingle, so I popped two Benedryl and headed towards my Lazyboy. Halfway across my livingroom "Bang!" a big white flash went in my eyes and I hit the floor, semi- conscious. It takes about 20 minutes to get over: Hives, tongue itching, throat itching, all skin surfaces itching, heart racing, lungs swelling up inside causing shortness of breath. It rarely happens to me now, I just can't be careful enough.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is both a flavor enhancer and a preservative. Some food manufacturers also disguise it under different names and it can get confusing. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

MREs have flavor enhancers? I guess everything is relative <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

But MSG is actually a 'flavor enhancer'.. so do that mean they have MSG in em? proably.. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

They taste better than they used to. And anything is better than the old poo-in-a-can they replaced. I'm just barely old enough to have eatten those, but C-rats were scary.

EPPS! and i thought my reaction to it was bad. it's a MAJOR mirgraine trigger for me. Last thing i'd want in an emergancy is a migraine <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I happened to have a couple of MREs at home (Beef stew and minestroni stew) and they both have MSG in them, don't know about the rest.

That's not good.. so what would you suggest for someone who is sensitive to MSG try and pack for foods?

Well, anything without MSG <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

I pack Datrex food bars in my bug out bags. They taste good (natural coconut flavor), last 5 years, and are non-thirst provoking. Within each 2400 or 3600 cal bars, they are subpackaged individually into 200 calories chunks wrapped in plastic, making it easier to ration out in an emergency.