[richlevy]

I love this part, from Wikipedia. So the government doesn't like civilians buying MRE's, but can't prove that it's illegal.

Resale status

As a result of earlier unauthorized sales to civilians, the Department of Defense requires that

U.S. Government Property, Commercial Resale is Unlawful

be printed on each case of MREs.[11] Despite the disclaimer, there are no laws that forbid the resale of MREs.[12] Although the government has attempted to discourage sellers from selling MREs[13], auction sites such as eBay have continued to allow auctions of the MREs because the Department of Defense has been unable to show them any regulations or laws specifically outlawing the practice. According to a spokesman for eBay, "until a law is passed saying you can't sell these things, we're not going to stop them from being sold on the site."[14]
The recent growth of MREs listed on eBay (2005) has resulted in a government investigation of whether they were intended for Hurricane Katrina victims, and the news media nickname "Meals Ready for eBay."[15] Some cases are being sold from Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and other Gulf states affected by Katrina. The internal cost of a 12 pack case of MREs is $86.98 (approx. $7.25 a meal) to the government, much higher than what is actually paid to vendors.[15] That said, MREs can be purchased by civilians directly from the contractors who supply MREs to the U.S. Government. These MREs are very similar to genuine US Government MREs, differing only in minor details (i.e. design of case and bag or type of spoon).
Flameless Ration Heaters are prohibited on commercial airlines unless sealed in the original MRE menu bag, due to the hydrogen fumes yielded by the chemical process of cooking with them.

Flameless Ration Heaters are prohibited on commercial airlines unless sealed in the original MRE menu bag, due to the hydrogen fumes yielded by the chemical process of cooking with them.

Darn, a hot MRE would have been cheaper and tastier than airline food.