Field ration eating device

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A field ration eating device with a tape measure displaying its length ADF Can Opener.jpg
A field ration eating device with a tape measure displaying its length

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] As of 2016, it is still included in ration packs. [4]

Contents

Its NATO Stock Number (NSN) is 7330-66-010-0931 and the item name is "opener, hand, can". [5] [6] It is also humorously referred to as the "fucking ridiculous eating device". [7] [8] [9]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 "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. ↑ "The Useless Utensil Given to Australian Soldiers". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
  5. ↑ "NSN search result: 7330-66-010-0931". ISO Group. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ "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).
  8. ↑ 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)
  9. ↑ "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

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