Quality of olive oil reformulated MRE entrée packaged in oxygen-absorbing film

► It is feasible to replace soybean oil in MREs with olive oil, regarded as beneficial in promoting cardiovascular health. ► Reformulated retort MRE items meet the military shelf life requirements of three years at 26.7 °C or six months at 37.8 °C. ► Reformulated MRE items were acceptable to consumer and trained panels in terms of overall quality. ► Oxygen-absorbing MRE pouches maintain same seal and structural integrity as regular MRE pouches.