Costco shoppers baffled over new emergency item: 'Know something we don't?'

Aussies have turned to Costco recently to stock up on groceries, but their latest bulk-buy item has some shoppers scratching their heads.

One Costco fan shared the new Live Ready Emergency Food Supply tub the store is now stocking on a popular Costco fan's Facebook page prompting some debate.

The tubs recently hit Aussie stores after first being available in the US and will set you back $149.95 for 100 servings of easy-to-make meals.

“I wish we had this a few years ago,” the shopper wrote alongside a photo of the emergency tubs.

“These MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) are awesome value for any event really and have a 5-year shelf life.”

What's inside?

The emergency food tub includes 48 meals, 20 snacks and 32 drinks portions, enough to be eaten over 10 days.

And the meals don’t sound all that bad either with dishes like chicken-flavoured noodles, Mexican quinoa, beef-flavoured curry and vegetable and lentil rice all on the emergency menu.

The snacks include cinnamon oasts and dried fruit snacks along with two drinks - whey milk protein powder and lemon-lime flavoured drink powder.

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The packet says the bucket holds enough food to “provide enough energy and sustain one average adult individual for 10 days during emergency situations based on a minimum sustenance intake of 5000kj”.

The ready-to-eat meals have been available in US Costco stores for several years and have had rave reviews.

“They aren't bad at all,” one person wrote on a US Costco Facebook page.

“Tastes like the lower quality dollar pastas at a grocery store. I wouldn't buy it at a restaurant, but even in a non-emergency scenario they aren't bad.”

'Are they necessary?'

But not everyone is convinced we need them here in Australia with some wondering whether they were actually necessary.

“You know something we don’t? What emergency?” One person questioned.

“Are we expecting a tsunami,” a second asked with another adding "It’s amazing how many people stock up."

Another doubted whether it would actually be enough food to get you through an extended period of time.

“I prepare for these types of events and please note these have no meat with minimal protein and fat and basically all carb,” they said.

“It’s better to buy 10kg bags of flour, Rice, beans, pasta, spaghetti sauce and taco seasoning for less…that’s not even enough for a female to sustain themselves.”

Despite the questioning, customers still dubbed it a ‘brilliant’ idea for being prepared or to help those less fortunate by “donating to a winter appeal”. Some even said they’d consider taking it camping or use it when travelling in remote areas.

“This would have been brilliant for families stuck in the floods last year they were isolated and had no internet or phone,” one person wrote.

“Perfect for 4WD trips to central Aus. Never know when you might be flooded in or faced with breaking down,” added another.

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