A self-heating, self-hydrating pouch to simultaneously heat and hydrate a
prepackaged, partially or completely dehydrated food or beverage product
that is stored in the pouch. The pouch comprises multiple layers of
material that prevent the transmission of water and gasses thereby
preventing deterioration of the prepackaged food or beverage product. The
pouch includes a membrane filter structure and flameless, exothermic
reaction agents. The user adds potable or non-potable water to the pouch.
When the water contacts the exothermic reaction agents, an exothermic
reaction occurs which heats the water above 200.degree. F. The membrane
filter structure filters the heated water to remove bacteria, viruses,
chemicals and by-products of the exothermic reaction. The filtered,
heated water contacts the partially or completely dehydrated food product
or dehydrated beverage product and simultaneously heats and hydrates the
food or beverage product.