diff --git a/gamedir/Data-1.13/Ja2_Options.INI b/gamedir/Data-1.13/Ja2_Options.INI
index 2723f7247..ecaf6131f 100644
--- a/gamedir/Data-1.13/Ja2_Options.INI
+++ b/gamedir/Data-1.13/Ja2_Options.INI
@@ -2088,6 +2088,9 @@ FOOD_DECAY_MODIFICATOR           = 1.0
 ; maximum amount of food poisoning one can get from eating a single piece of food
 FOOD_MAX_POISONING               = 5
 
+; do mercs make sounds when eating/drinking?
+FOOD_EATING_SOUNDS               = TRUE
+
 ;******************************************************************************************************************************
 ;******************************************************************************************************************************
 
diff --git a/gamedir/Data-UB/Ja2_Options.ini b/gamedir/Data-UB/Ja2_Options.ini
index fcc0b2d82..9014b69ba 100644
--- a/gamedir/Data-UB/Ja2_Options.ini
+++ b/gamedir/Data-UB/Ja2_Options.ini
@@ -2046,6 +2046,12 @@ FOOD_DECAY_IN_SECTORS            = TRUE
 ; a global modificator to the speed at which food decays. 1.0 is normal, values between 0.1 and 10.0
 FOOD_DECAY_MODIFICATOR           = 1.0
 
+; maximum amount of food poisoning one can get from eating a single piece of food
+FOOD_MAX_POISONING               = 5
+
+; do mercs make sounds when eating/drinking?
+FOOD_EATING_SOUNDS               = TRUE
+
 ;******************************************************************************************************************************
 ;******************************************************************************************************************************