Individual Meal Pack

The Individual Meal Pack or IMP is one type of field ration used by the Canadian Forces. The IMP is designed so that a continuous diet provides all the nutrition needed to sustain a soldier in the field. The IMP meets Canada's nutrition requirements, with the exception of calcium and folic acid, which are not significant if the consumption period of rations is less than 30 (consecutive) days. IMPs will provide 1200-1400 calories per meal.

Contents of the combat rations are subject to a three-year research and development cycle, where new meals are added, and some replaced. Every second year, new meals are field tested by three groups of 60 persons drawn from each of the three Canadian Army brigades. In all, there are 21 meals available broken up into two categories of seven breakfasts and 14 meals suitable as noon or evening meals. In addition to the main meal, each IMP contains assorted basics such as powdered coffee, protein and sports drink mixes, energy bars, trail mix, peanut butter, cereal, condiments, candy, chocolate, gum, a plastic spoon, a wet towelette and matches.

Three IMPs (breakfast, lunch and dinner) provide approximately 3,600 calories (15 MJ), enough to nourish a soldier undergoing strenuous physical activity. The meals are precooked and can therefore be safely consumed either heated or unheated. Under ideal circumstances the entrees are generally consumed heated.

IMPs are divided into six different breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

As of 2005, the following items were available (including all options):

Entrees

Fruits and desserts

Beverages

Miscellaneous

Condiments (sugar, coffee whitener, ketchup, salt, pepper, towelette, matches, paper towel, toothpick, chewing gum, tabasco) and a spoon are provided in each meal.

Nowadays there are meals available to accommodate Jews, Muslims, Hindus and vegetarians.

Other types of rations are used by the Canadian Forces, notably fresh rations, or cooked meals provided directly from the kitchen or by Hay Box. There are also patrol packs, which are small high-protein snack-type foods (such as beef jerky or shredded cheese) and boxed lunches (consisting of assorted sandwiches, juice, fruit, pasta and a dessert) provided for soldiers to consume in situations in which meal preparation nor the delivery of haybox style fresh rations are not possible, such as travelling for training within Canada or spending the day on a shooting range. The IMP is intended to be issued when fresh rations are not possible, they can also be consumed as emergency rations, unheated.

...
Wikipedia