Mountain House Chicken Fried Rice (6-pack) review

What it is and who it suits

Mountain House describes this entree as chicken, scrambled egg, mushrooms, onion and peppers over long-grain rice. You add water straight to the pouch and the page says it is ready to eat in less than 10 minutes, with no pot to wash. That suits a go-bag, a car kit or a power outage where a camp stove is the only heat.

This review is researched, not tested, so it says nothing about taste. It relies on the maker's product page and FAQ and on USDA's shelf-stable food fact sheet. The page covers one pouch; retailers also sell multi-packs, so multiply the label figures by the number of pouches.

What the label says

The nutrition panel lists two servings per pouch and 600 calories per pouch. A serving is 1 1/4 cups of dry mix (66 grams), which the maker says makes about a cup prepared. Per pouch it lists 26 grams of protein, 82 grams of carbohydrate, 18 grams of fat and 1,560 milligrams of sodium, which the page puts at 68 percent of the daily value. That sodium is worth noting if anyone you feed watches salt.

Allergens are listed as milk, egg, soy and sesame. The page carries a gluten-free mark, but it does not say who certifies it, so read the pouch if celiac disease is a factor. It also says no artificial flavors, no artificial colors and preservative free.

Shelf life: the maker's number

Mountain House's FAQ says meals in its pouches carry a guaranteed shelf life and taste guarantee of 30 years from the date of manufacture. That is the maker's claim, not an independent test. The maker says to store pouches unopened, dry, away from punctures and dents, and to avoid prolonged exposure to temperatures above 75°F. Heat in a garage or attic is the practical threat.

To find your pouch's date, look for the 5-digit manufacture code on the back: the first two digits are the year and the next three the day of the year. The FAQ says food does not go bad after its shelf life, but quality begins to diminish. USDA's fact sheet agrees that freeze-dried foods are shelf stable if packed in moisture-proof, hermetically sealed containers, and that dating is for quality, not safety. See our long-term food storage guide and best-by dates guide.

Water, and leftovers

The meal only works with safe water. EPA says to use only properly disinfected water for drinking, cooking and making any prepared drink, which includes a pouch meal, and to boil water at a rolling boil for at least one minute if you have no bottled supply. Mountain House says to treat leftovers after hydration as you would fresh food, and to remove the oxygen absorber when you notice it. Our make water safe guide has the steps.

How it compares with the other picks

On our freeze-dried meals comparison, the main trade is calories. Peak Refuel's Chicken Pesto Pasta states 920 calories and 43 grams of protein in a two-serving pouch against Mountain House's 600 and 26; see its review. Peak states a 10-year unopened shelf life against Mountain House's 30. Mountain House gives more shelf life and a gluten-free mark, while Peak gives more energy per pouch, so plan more pouches per person with this one.

Verdict and who should skip it

A familiar, long-shelf-life entree that is easy to cook. Skip it if you need the most calories per pouch, if you must avoid milk, egg, soy or sesame, or if sodium is a concern. For a larger stock, our emergency food storage guide explains how much to buy and rotate.

How long does Mountain House food last?

Mountain House says its pouch meals have a guaranteed shelf life and taste guarantee of 30 years from the date of manufacture, stored unopened and away from prolonged heat above 75°F. That is the maker's claim.

How many calories are in one pouch?

The label lists 600 calories per pouch, which the maker counts as two servings, with 26 grams of protein. Plan on more than one pouch per person if it is your main food.

Does it contain common allergens?

Yes. The page lists milk, egg, soy and sesame. It also carries a gluten-free mark, but read the pouch itself if you have a serious allergy.

Can I eat leftovers?

Mountain House says to treat food as you would fresh food after it is hydrated. It also advises using any opened dry contents within one week for best results.