Emergency rations were a type of prepackaged food distributed by Earth to its colonies and outposts in the event of an attack or disaster.
In 2155, following the Romulan attack on Tarod IX, the survivors had only emergency rations to eat until they were rescued by the Enterprise. (ENT - The Romulan War novel: Beneath the Raptor's Wing) Three days of the Gabriel Effect, during (TNG novel: Spartacus) They were also keep on board in case the replicators were down.
External link
- Emergency ration article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.