The nonprofit Moms Across America, working in collaboration with the military chapter of Children’s Health Defense commissioned laboratory testing of 40 different military food samples to examine their nutritional value.
The study examined 16 cafeteria meal samples from six different military bases, as well as 24 different Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) field rations that troops rely on when deployed in combat zones.
One sample of teriyaki beef stick tested positive for nitroimidazole, a veterinary medication that the U.S. government banned for use in food-producing animals.
The study also found samples with high levels of heavy metals, including arsenic levels at 430 percent higher than the Environmental Protection Agency’s safe drinking water standards.
Laboratory testing detected glyphosate—a herbicide and crop desiccant—in 95 percent of the military meal samples.
The study also found that the meal samples had nutrient levels far below U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards.
A frequently cited 2000 study had described glyphosate as not harmful. But in December 2025, the journal that published the study retracted it, citing ethical concerns.
At an unprecedented gathering of senior military officers at the Quantico Marine Base in Virginia in September 2025, [Defence Secretary] Hegseth expressed disdain at the sight of overweight troops.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/st...low-nutrients-concerning-contaminants-5980745
Financial blog poster wrote:
They are just figuring this out now? A frigging laxative should be added in the plastic bag with the matches, sugar, coffee and "napkins." I am speaking for some of my fellow platoon mates since they had constipation problems when eating MREs and I had the most regular shits in my life from the same meals. Yes I know, if you hydrate the meal properly the constipation problem can abate. The French and Norwegians have the most wonderful MREs I have tasted. The Italian ones were damn good as well. FFS the French have canned eels and sausage, real freaking sausage in their menus. The US ones back in the 1990s were so freaking bad as to almost defy description. The worst was the "Four Fingers of Death." That was a pack of 4 synthetic "hot dogs" that were absolutely inhumane. The Ham slice, chicken alfredo, pound cake and tortellini were actually passable. They should have doubled the size of the little plastic Tobasco bottle that came with each meal.
As it is the MREs do not even have enough caloric value to keep a troop in the field alive unless he gets 4 or 5 a day. Good luck with that.
On the other hand, the Arctic MREs that were only produced as far as I know in the late 80s early 90s were superb in terms of providing nice, calorie dense food, like the Oatmeal bar and doubled up entrees.
Still lots of work to do Mr. Trump. Maybe not the wine Russian submarine crews get.
