A field ration (combat ration, ration pack, or food packet) is a type of prepackaged or canned military ration. Field rations are distinguished from garrison rations by virtue of being designed for minimal preparation in the field, as well as for long shelf life. They contain canned, vacuum-sealed, pre-cooked, or freeze-dried foods, powdered beverage mixes or concentrated food bars. Many field rations contain meat as one of their main courses, but countries such as the United States offer vegetarian options as well. A WWI term, the "iron ration" is a soldier's dry emergency rations. The term MRE is sometimes used synonymously with field ration but it more accurately describes a specific type from the United States. Most armed forces in the world today now field some form of pre-packaged combat ration, often suitably tailored to meet national or regional cuisines. Such meals used for field rations also prove invaluable for disaster or wartime relief, where large stocks of these rations can be ferried and distributed easily, and provide basic nutritional support to victims before kitchens can be set up to produce fresh food. Rations intended for emergency or disaster relief are often referred to as survival rations. Traditionally hexamine has been the preferred solid fuel for cooking and heating the rations. An alternative is gelatinized ethanol. Most current field rations utilise self-heating packs instead of fuel tablets, which are more practical and produce no visible flame. Americas Argentina The Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic's Ración de Combate (Individual) was introduced in 2003, consisting of a gray plastic-foil laminate pouch containing a mix of canned and dehydrated foods, plus minimal supplements, for 1 soldier for 1 day. All products in the RC are domestically produced, commercially available items. Each ration contains: canned meat, small can of meat spread, crackers, instant soup, cereal bar with fruit, a chocolate bar with nuts or caramels, instant coffee, orange juice powder, sugar, salt, a heating kit with disposable stove and alcohol-based fuel tablets, disposable butane lighter, resealable plastic bag, cooked rice and a pack of paper tissues. Menu #1 contains: corned beef, meat pâté, crisp water crackers, and instant soup with fideo pasta. Menu #2 contains: roasted beef in gravy, meat pâté, whole wheat crackers, and quick-cooking polenta in cheese sauce. Brazil The Ração Operacional de Combate – R2 is the current field & combat ration for the Brazilian Army. It is based on