UAE firm unveils 25-year shelf life halal meals

UAE-based food tech company Red Planet has launched a line of halal-certified ready-to-eat meals with a shelf life of **up to 25 years, offering a major innovation in long-term food storage. The meals, which were first presented at the Saudi Food Show 2025 in Riyadh from May 12 to 14, are targeted at military, humanitarian, and disaster relief operations worldwide.

According to representative from the company, advanced freeze-drying technology and oxygen-resistant packaging technology was used to help the meals retain their taste, texture, and nutritional value without refrigeration or preservatives. 

“Our mission was to develop high-quality, culturally appropriate meals that remain safe and nutritious over decades,” a Red Planet spokesperson said. “With growing concerns around food security and climate-related disruptions, the need for durable food solutions has never been greater.”

Each dish undergoes a process that removes over 95% of its moisture before being sealed in multi-layered pouches that block out humidity, oxygen, and light, critical factors in maintaining long-term food integrity. The menu caters to both regional and international palates, featuring meat machboos, balaleet with eggs, chicken biryani, scrambled eggs, and pasta with minced meat.

The innovation has drawn interest from institutional buyers and distributors at the food expo. Red Planet is currently awaiting final regulatory approval in the UAE, after which the meals will be made available in retail outlets across the country.

With climate change, geopolitical instability, and supply chain disruptions straining food systems globally, ultra-long shelf life products like Red Planet’s could reshape the way governments and humanitarian organisations approach food security and emergency preparedness.