Has anyone else had any similar issues?
Yes. (https://ludeon.com/forums/index.php?topic=50853.0)
Are survival meals an allowed food type for all the pawns in the caravan?
I was preparing to notify a bug for the same reason, then I read your answer.... and checked. My caravans colonists did not have access to survival packs.
BUT I cannot change this parameter during the caravan >:(
You can change the food settings during caravan, it's a bit hidden though. Details tab under the caravan's Health tab.
The food restriction is probably it. I forgot i put everyone to paste cause they would run out of the base to eat meals from raiders. I guess the restriction is a hard restriction.
Possible clarity issue, but not a bug - thanks for reporting and resolving.