

In an effort to boost solider morale, researchers at a U.S. military lab in Massachusetts have developed a pizza that can stay on the shelf for up to three years and still remain good to eat.

U.S. soldiers have been pleading with their bosses to have pizza added to their "meals ready to eat" packages, also known as MREs. These kits replaced canned food back in 1981 and are utilized in combat zones or areas where field kitchens can't be set up.

The new long-lived pizza, considered a kind of "holy grail" among food technologists, was developed by the U.S. Army's Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center after two years of research. It can literally be left on the counter for three years, and it would still be edible.


Incredibly, the pizza doesn't require any refrigeration or freezing. The Associated Press explains:




As for the taste and texture, it's a little moist and not very crispy. It's apparently reminiscent of typical pan pizza that you'd make at home and take out of the toaster oven — except that it's eaten at room temperature.


[ AP | AP Photo/Steven Senne]