Field ration eating device
Australian military eating utensil
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
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]
