Field ration eating device

The field ration eating device (FRED) is an Australian eating utensil and multi-tool that serves as a combination of a can opener, bottle opener, and spoon.^[1] It was first issued around 1943 to the Australian Defence Force for use with its Combat Ration One Man field rations.^[1]. Initially just a can opener, more functions were added, and it could be sterilised.^[1] The FRED was to be discontinued in about 2005,^[2][3] with ring-pull cans, boil-in-a-bag meals, and a spoon, meant to make the utensil redundant.^[3]

A field ration eating device with a tape measure displaying its length

Its NATO Stock Number (NSN) is 7330-66-010-0931 and the item name is "opener, hand, can".^[4][5] It is also humorously referred to as the "fucking ridiculous eating device".^[6][7][8]

See also

• P-38 can opener
• Combination eating utensils

References

1. ROGERS, Michael (13 February 2024). "Reliable FRED is here to stay". Retrieved 28 July 2025.
2. Capt. Brian Tuohy (6 October 2005). "Letters to the Editor: Farewell, old Fred". Army – The Soldiers' Newspaper (#1130 ed.). Coordination and Public Affairs; Directorate of Defence Newspapers (Australian Army).
3. "Fred's friend's left with sour taste". Army – The Soldiers' Newspaper 20 October 2005 Edition #1131 : Letters to the Editor. Australian Army. 20 October 2005. Archived from the original on 17 December 2005. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
4. "NSN search result: 7330-66-010-0931". ISO Group. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
5. Bui, Lan; McLaughlin, Tracey; Coad, Ross. "Compliance of 2012/13 Combat Ration Packs to the Recommended Nutritional Criteria" (PDF). Defence Science and Technology Organisation. p. 40. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
6. "A history of modern military rations". MetaFilter:community weblog. 2005. Retrieved 5 November 2007. A similar device is currently employed by the Australian Army in its ration kits. It is known by the acronym "FRED" (Fucking Ridiculous Eating Device).
7. Hardiman, Graeme. "The Malayan Emergency. 2RAR 1956/57". 2RAR. Digger History: an unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Forces. Retrieved 5 November 2007. I remember the spoon come tin opener that was in later years nicknamed "Fred" (f****ing ridiculous eating device)
8. "Australian Ration pack Contents". Ration Pack. Australian Defence News & Opinion – MilitaryPeople.com.au. 2007. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 5 November 2007.

Further reading

• "Australian military slang". Appendix. Wiktionary. Retrieved 5 November 2007.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Field Ration Eating Device.

• "Ration Packs, Combat Rations, Rat Packs, Chew & Spew". Oz Current: Food. Digger History: an unofficial history of the Australian & New Zealand Armed Forces. Retrieved 5 November 2007.