DATREX Emergency Food Ration Bars for Disaster or Survival, 2400 Calories per Pack of 12 Bars

NOTE: THE MOTO SPORTS SELLER SAYS THEIR RATIONS ARE TWO YEARS OLD BUT THEY WERE NEARLY EXPIRED (5 YEARS OLD) when I received them. Do not order these from them. Also, Closeout 123 seller did not ship until a couple weeks after ordering. Don't order from that seller either. I'm just a customer. No ties to any vendors. I ordered these and was happy to see that they had the date they were made and the expiration date printed on each package. They were not more than a week old when I received them and they are good for 5 years. I shopped around here on amazon, thought this was the best buy for rations, and am pleased with the order. OK, here is the post-trial review: I opened the package (1 of 30), it was sealed tight via air vaccum (like the coffee bags you buy at the store). It is easy to open, so you won't need a knife, etc. to do so. Inside, there are 12 bars each wrapped in a thin clear plastic. This plastic is somewhat more difficult to open. I found that when I tried to open it by hand, the ration would begin to crumble (they are quite fragile). Use a knife and the problem is solved. 12 x 30 = 360 bars per case. The bars are approx. 1" x 2" (maybe a little larger than that). They have a sandy color. They taste like a lemon cookie. Pretty good actually. I noticed an oily tasteless residue in my mouth afterwards. I noticed that they don't induce thurst as much as eating other foods. I didn't have anything to drink for another couple of hours (working outdoors and was already kinda thirsty) when I started munching on em'. I did get a little thirsty but it was much less than would be expected from eating a bag of chips (I ate about 3 bars in a two hour span). This would be good for water conservation. I ate one bar when I was pretty hungry (ya know, the working on an empty stomach and kinda shaky feeling). It did help the hunger quite a bit, but I never really felt "full." It is enough to carry on with moderate physical labor though. But don't expect to feel like you ate a full meal. Now to the nutrients listed on the package: Serving size = 1bar, so 12 servings per package (1 of 30) Per bar: 200 calories 3g protein 27g carbohydrate .18% sodium 9g total fat 2g sat. fat 6g mono-unsat. (I suppose this is a kind of unsaturated fat) 1g poly-unsat. (another kind of unsaturated fat? these three fats add up to the total of 9 g listed as "total fat") 1g cholesterol Percentage U.S. RDA for adults: Protein 7% Vitamin A 1% Vitamin C 1% Thiamine 8% Riboflavin 5% Niacin 4% For longer term food storage, I went to the LDS cannery (not a morman, but they have GREAT prices). Got a bunch of canned wheat, rice, beans, etc. Highly recommended. providentliving.org May God be with you my brothers, as you walk in integrity, Jason Kerrigan

Disclaimer: I have never eaten these in a survival situation. If I do and this website survives the whole thing I'll come back and update. Because whether DATRX looks, tastes, and feels great going down is going to depend on whether you are eating your 1st or your 101st. The experts and common sense tell me you should try out survival food before you ever get around to needing it, so you'll know at least a tiny facet of what it's like to eat and eat and eat the stuff you've so responsibly stowed. A little sample won't get you the context of foraging for moose and edible evergreens in arctic winter and coming across a discarded pack of unexpired DATREX. In that context they might taste as good as a steak -- and not a moose steak, either. But I did try a few in the comfort of my own home. Honestly? Dry: no moisture there to be lugging around in your backpack or to accelerate the ingredients' decomposition while sealed in the very snug, heavyweight wrappers they're factory-packaged in. A little sweet, nothing like a dry cracker; they say it's got a little tropical flavor there, but I can't vouch for that. I want to say texture-wise, they're nothing like a granola bar -- there are very few sizable chunks of anything in them. Instead they're powdery, and hygroscopic (drying to the mouth). Supposedly you don't need water to choke one down but I have yet to demonstrate past a bite #5. If your idea of a "survival bar" has a line of tappers and a bunch of rowdy locals to rub elbows with, you clicked on the wrong website. OTOH if you want a time-tested product that's been trusted for years, stow a bunch of these, check the expiration, and set your googly calendar (or your calendar towel, in case everything goes to heck and we're back to pre-IBM days) to re-order every few years. Rotate stock every couple of years: this isn't one of those things that lasts 25 years (though even fresh out of the pack some would say it tastes like it's been around that long). I sincerely appreciate that a company has made the trade-off between taste, texture, and all those comforts against the practicalities of survival, even going to the trouble to print clear instructions about food survival and water consumption on every pack of their product. Unequivocally 5 stars for the product, price, light weight, packaging, and lucid encouragement in aggregate.

I recently had the opportunity to try DATREX Emergency Food Ration Bars, and I must say that I am thoroughly impressed with these survival provisions. These bars have quickly become an essential part of my emergency preparedness kit, and here's why I believe they are a smart choice for anyone: 1. Long Shelf Life: One of the most significant advantages of DATREX Emergency Food Ration Bars is their extended shelf life. They're designed to last for years, which means you can store them away without worrying about spoilage. This peace of mind is invaluable for emergency situations and ensures that you have a reliable food source when you need it most. 2. Compact and Portable: These bars are incredibly compact and lightweight, making them easy to store and carry. Whether you're preparing for a camping trip, a natural disaster, or any other emergency, you won't be weighed down by bulky supplies. The compact size also makes them perfect for on-the-go snacking when hiking or traveling. 3. Nutrient-Rich: Despite their small size, DATREX Emergency Food Ration Bars are nutrient-dense. They provide a significant amount of calories, carbohydrates, and protein, giving you the energy needed to sustain yourself during challenging situations. The bars are formulated to keep you going when regular food may not be available. 4. Great Taste: I was pleasantly surprised by the taste of these bars. They are not only nutritious but also delicious. They come in various flavors, and I found them to be surprisingly palatable for emergency rations. It's a small comfort knowing that even in a tough situation, you can still enjoy your food. 5. Ready-to-Eat: When the unexpected happens, you don't want to waste time preparing food. DATREX Emergency Food Ration Bars are ready to eat right out of the package. Just tear open the wrapper, and you have an instant meal. This convenience is a crucial factor during emergencies, where time and resources are limited. 6. Resistant to Environmental Conditions: These bars are designed to withstand a range of environmental conditions, from extreme temperatures to high humidity. This makes them reliable in various scenarios, whether you're dealing with extreme weather or storage in less than ideal conditions. 7. Trusted Brand: DATREX has a strong reputation in the field of emergency preparedness. Their products are used and trusted by military and humanitarian organizations worldwide, which speaks to the quality and reliability of their emergency food rations. In conclusion, DATREX Emergency Food Ration Bars are a top-tier choice for those looking to be prepared for emergencies or outdoor adventures. The combination of a long shelf life, compact design, nutritional value, and great taste sets them apart from other options on the market. I've incorporated them into my emergency preparedness plan, and I highly recommend them to anyone who values safety and security. With DATREX, you can have peace of mind knowing that you're well-prepared for whatever challenges may come your way.

I opened a package and tried some. Mildly sweet and crumbly. Kinda pairs well with coffee.

These ration bars are implausibly tasty. I wouldn't put them in full-on "cookie" levels of tasty, but it's somewhere between cookies and granola bars. The only downside I can imagine to needing to survive on these rations is that you'll get tired of the same thing over and over after a while. It's certainly not going to be due to the taste. I had one arrive with the foil exterior pack compromised, so we tried the bars in that one as a test. The individual bars are wrapped in basically plastic wrap and it doesn't seem to be especially air-tight or waterproof, so don't open the exterior packaging thinking you can divide up the bars inside for long storage. We used them for snacks and they didn't last long. The trick with them is to take small bites and chew them up thoroughly. They're not dry (or moist - you don't get thirsty eating them) they're very neutral in that regard but they're a bit crumbly and you want to take your time eating them. They're a little on the filling side (as they ought to be) and eating them slowly helps with digestion as well as making you feel less hungry than you would if you wolfed one down. I could see myself easily going a few days without complaint eating nothing but this. They make great emergency food for cars, boats, or bug-out bags.

Here are the possible sources of food during an emergency. You should decide for yourself what is most reliable and cost effective. A normal person needs about 2,000 calories per day, and someone who is exerting themselves (eg, survival, search, and rescue operations) may need 3,000 - 4,000 calories per day. 1. The regular canned food in your pantry. Regular canned food, such as Hormel Chili, is cheap, tasty, easy to get, and will last a very long time. It's manufactured from reliable sources. You can buy what you would normally eat, and nothing will go to waste if you rotate your stock. Additionally, most canned food is packed in WATER, so you get a safe supply of fresh water with each meal. Almost all canned food is cooked as part of the canning process, so you normally can eat it straight from the can (without heating). Canned food also has a shelf life far beyond MREs or Emergency Rations (for example, according to Hormel, "the shelf life of [canned Hormel Chili] is indefinite as long as the seal remains intact", although the flavor may decrease). COST PER 2,000 CALORIES: about $2 - 6. 2. MREs. MREs are hard to get (due to ongoing military and recent civilian needs) and relatively expensive (between $6 - 8 per meal). Each MRE contains about 1200 calories and is relatively tasty. They also contain vital ingredients you need during heavy exercise (search and rescue ops), such as salt. Despite some claims by competitors, you DO NOT require water to eat an MRE. Only a small, non-essential portion of the meal requires water (the drink mixes). MREs will last 5 years only if stored at less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. At 60 degrees, the shelf life is 4 years, and at 80 degrees, the shelf life is 3 years. At 100 degrees, the shelf life is only 6 months. COST PER 2,000 CALORIES: about $10 - 14. 3. Energy bars. Energy bars, such as Clif Bars or PowerBars are carbohydrate laden and sugar laden supplements that are intended to give you a boost after exercise and not intended to be real food. They are inexpensive (about $1.50 for 240 calories) but have a very short shelf life. Also, they normally lack fiber. You'll want some dietary fiber in a sustained emergency. COST PER 2,000 CALORIES: N/A - these are not meal replacements. 4. Emergency ration bars. Ration bars, such as Datrex or Mainstay, are relatively light weight and are able to accept temperature changes. However, they are moderately expensive. It is difficult to assess the nutritional facts about Datrex bars, because I have not seen the complete Nutrition Facts even though I've search for them. They appear to be flour, water, sugar, and fat, although there is no indication of how much of the carbohydrates are simple sugars vs. fiber (see above about Energy Bars, such as PowerBars). Additionally, although a 2400 calorie bar may keep you alive for 3 days, that's only 800 calories per day. If you have to rely on these bars for an extended time, 800 calories per day is not sufficient to sustain heavy activity, such as survival, search and rescue activities. Since you are not likely to eat these for the taste, after 5 years you'll throw these away and need to buy replacements - a real waste. Nevertheless, these bars definitely have their place in a go bag, in order to sustain you until you get to your main food supply (eg, your pantry). COST PER 2,000 CALORIES: about $7. 5. Dried fruits and nuts. Dried fruit is very expensive, full of sugar, and may be treated with preservatives. I know a lot of people who have had reactions to eating dried fruit (eg, skin flush, nausea), and that's something you don't want in an emergency. Nuts are great sources of calories and delicious, but a lot of people have life-threatening allergies to nuts - and even people who have never had allergies can develop them suddenly. Nuts are not a good source of carbohydrates. Additionally, even canned or sealed nuts have very short shelf lives (between 6 - 18 months, max, according to Planters' website). COST PER 2,000 CALORIES: about $14 - 20 for fruit, and about $8 for nuts. 6. Freeze-Dried (not "dehydrated") Camping Food. [2/17/2012, thanks to "Walker" for suggesting this category!] Freeze-drying is a process of cooling the food to temperatures about 50 degrees below zero to remove the water (note that "dehydrating" heats the food and is different). My comments relate to Mountain House brand, but other brands are probably similar. The nutrition of freeze-dried foods seems to be very good, with a balance of protein, carbs, and fat, although the fiber content is still a little low. They also are a little high in sodium, but you will need sodium (salt) in an emergency. I read a lot of good reviews of the taste, so I tested some and can confirm the taste is AMAZING, especially for a camping/emergency food. The shelf life of #10 cans of freeze-dried food is about 25 years (wow), and for the pouches is between 5 - 7 years. So what is the drawback? First, these foods require water to prepare. A pouch of 400 calories will take 2 cups of water, and a complete day's ration of 2,000 calories will take 8 cups. I tested using cold water (since cooking heat will not be available), and it works fine if you double the preparation time. I'm pretty sure drinking water will be in very short supply in my area after an earthquake. Also, these are relatively expensive (the most expensive alternative for food), but as "Walker" suggests, the long shelf life may make up for the expense. COST PER 2,000 CALORIES: about $26. Only you can decide what you will need and what is best for you. I have a lot of pantry food, with some MREs and emergency ration bars for the go packs and car.

The taste is ... fine. Not bad at all, just neutral and a bit stale. The bars are very crumbly; plan to have a container for the crumbs to fall into or you'll waste a lot. Packaging is solid; tears or cracks in the packaging are the downfall of other ration bar brands but I've gotten 5 packs of these and the packaging vacuum seal is intact every time. Five year shelf life, probably only four years by the time you get it.

I prefer the 2400's instead of the 3600's. Not only did these work out cheaper by the calorie, but when you just need a small block of calories to put in a full backpack, these work great. Almost half the size of the 3600 calorie Datrex blocks, these fit anywhere. I keep a couple in my bail-out bag, a couple under the back seat of the truck, and a couple in my hiking backpack. Simple calories "just in case". I figure if I'm stuck in a situation that I need emergency calories, one block will last me 3 full days while on the move. That's pushing it, but it's better than eating bugs! I tried one of these for flavor, and it was like a crumbly coconut cookie in small individually wrapped little bars about the size of a small hotel bar soap. Easy to ration them out by small bars instead of dealing with a big block. I actually didn't mind the taste, and these probably taste like a gourmet dessert when you're stuck in the middle of nowhere with no food. Designed to be stored for years in their airtight mylar durable pouches. Light, easy to store, and calories in a pinch.