Abu Dhabi: Red Planet, a UAE firm, has developed halal-certified, culturally inspired ready-to-eat meals with a 25-year shelf life using advanced freeze-drying technology, pending regulatory approval to enter retail markets and enhance regional food security and disaster resilience.
In a significant advancement for food security and emergency preparedness, a UAE company, Red Planet, has developed ready-to-eat meals capable of remaining consumable for up to 25 years. This innovation in ultra-long shelf-life food is achieved through advanced freeze-drying technology, which preserves not only the flavour and texture but also the nutritional value of the meals without the need for artificial preservatives or refrigeration. Jassim Al Nowais, CEO of Red Planet, explains that the process involves removing over 95% of moisture from the food in a tightly controlled environment, followed by sealing in multi-layered, oxygen-absorbing packaging that guards against light, air, and moisture. This ensures that the meals remain safe, fresh, and nutritious for up to a quarter of a century.
Red Planet’s focus goes beyond merely extending shelf life; the company stresses the broader mission of enhancing food security by providing access to reliable and nutritious food that people would actually enjoy eating even after many years. The ready-to-eat menu is both diverse and culturally mindful, featuring halal-certified dishes that include local Emirati favourites such as chicken biryani, meat machboos, and balaleet with eggs, alongside more internationally familiar options like pasta with minced meat and vegetable rice. Each recipe is specifically engineered to maintain its original flavour and nutritional integrity, even under extreme conditions. Al Nowais highlights that food is not just sustenance but a source of comfort and resilience, connecting people to their cultural roots and memories of home.
Currently, Red Planet is finalising regulatory approvals in the UAE, a crucial step before its products become available for retail purchase. Al Nowais notes that these approvals are not mere formalities but essential to ensuring that the food meets high safety and quality standards, fostering trust among both communities and institutions. Once authorized, these meals will represent a pioneering entry in accessible long-lasting, high-quality food security solutions made in the UAE. The company has already showcased its innovation to global stakeholders, including at the Saudi Food Show 2025, underlining its contribution to sustainability and emergency preparedness.
Red Planet is entering a marketplace where ultra-long shelf-life emergency meals already exist, primarily from international suppliers. Well-established brands like ReadyWise offer freeze-dried meals with a similar shelf life of 25 years, designed for emergency, survival, and outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. These products typically come in large kits or buckets containing multiple servings and a variety of meals such as soups, oatmeal, chili, and pasta dishes. They rely on durable, moisture-proof packaging and require only the addition of water for preparation. Some suppliers emphasise organic and filler-free ingredients, catering to health-conscious consumers and those with specific dietary needs.
What sets Red Planet apart is its emphasis on culturally tailored meals that reflect local tastes and its halal certification, likely appealing to markets across the Middle East and beyond. While Western brands focus primarily on emergency preparedness and outdoor survival, Red Planet aims to position its offerings as not only emergency food reserves but as a holistic approach to food security that combines long shelf life with cultural relevance and culinary satisfaction.
As the threat of natural disasters, global supply chain disruptions, and food shortages remains a pressing concern worldwide, advances like those from Red Planet represent a crucial step forward. The company’s commitment to combining modern food technology with cultural sensitivity may provide a valuable model for others looking to enhance resilience through nutrition. With regulatory approval imminent, consumers in the UAE and potentially wider regions can soon access these innovative meals, potentially changing the landscape of emergency and long-term food storage solutions.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1]
- Paragraph 2 – [1]
- Paragraph 3 – [1]
- Paragraph 4 – [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]
- Paragraph 5 – [1], [2], [3]
Source: Noah Wire Services
