In a significant advancement for food security and emergency preparedness, a UAE-based company named Red Planet is launching ready-to-eat meals that can remain consumable for up to 25 years. These ultra-long shelf-life meals utilize advanced freeze-drying technology, which preserves taste, nutrition, and safety without the need for artificial preservatives or refrigeration.

Jassim Al Nowais, the CEO of Red Planet, explained that the innovative process involves removing over 95 percent of moisture from the food in a controlled environment. This technique ensures that the meals maintain their quality over an extended period.

Although these products have yet to reach the retail market in the UAE, Red Planet has developed a complete menu targeting critical sectors such as humanitarian aid organizations, armed forces, space agencies, and government institutions. Al Nowais highlighted that the company’s mission goes beyond merely extending shelf life, stating that food security encompasses ensuring access to reliable and nutritious meals that people would want to eat, even after many years.

Red Planet has been actively promoting its innovative meals to strategic partners and global stakeholders. Recently, the company participated in the Saudi Food Show 2025, held from May 12 to 14 in Riyadh. During the event, Red Planet showcased how its solutions contribute to sustainability, emergency preparedness, and long-term nourishment across the region.

The company’s offerings are diverse and culturally sensitive, featuring a mix of local Emirati dishes and popular international meals, all of which are halal-certified. The ready-to-eat menu includes chicken biryani, meat machboos, balaleet with eggs, scrambled eggs, pasta with minced meat, and vegetable rice. Each dish is meticulously crafted to retain its original flavor and nutritional profile, even in extreme conditions.

Al Nowais emphasized that the variety offered is not just for show; each recipe is designed to maintain its taste, texture, and nutrition, even in the harshest environments. He noted, “To us, food is more than fuel; it’s a source of comfort, a reminder of home, and a key element of resilience.”

Currently, Red Planet is in the final stages of obtaining regulatory approvals in the UAE, a vital step before the products can be available in stores. Al Nowais stated, “This isn’t just a formality; it’s a core part of our promise to deliver food that’s not only safe and high-quality but also trusted by the communities and institutions we serve.” He personally oversees this process, indicating its importance to the company.

Once the regulatory green light is received, consumers in the UAE can look forward to purchasing Red Planet meals, marking a significant advancement in accessible, long-lasting, and high-quality food security solutions made in the UAE.