MRE shelf life?

**SID325** · January 19, 2005, 17:28

I have about 4 cases of MRE's that I saved while I was in the Army from the early to mid 90's, only ate them when I had to, all look good, no leaking or bloating. Do you think they are still good?

Thanks, Sid
82nd ABN.

jerrymrc · January 19, 2005, 19:17

Tempature is the big factor. The hotter the shorter the life. As I remember the food is still safe, Just does not taste as good. I have had MRE's from the early 90's last year and they were ok. I think if you were to freeze a MRE it would outlast YOU! Just my two cents and that chart I remember.

Opie · January 19, 2005, 19:23

If there is no leaking packages or bloated bags they are OK. Just keep them in a place that is is kinda stable in both light and in temperature. A good place to keep them is in a closet or something like that. Hope that this helps you out.

Texas Tactical · January 19, 2005, 19:42

Some general information on MRE's - http://www.mreinfo.com

Currious about the exact date of manufacture? http://www.texastacticalgear.com/mre.php Type in your date code to find out.

Generally MRE's last longer when kept in a cool dry place, and can have a shelf life of up to about 10 years. See http://www.mreinfo.com/mre-longevity.html for more information on the correlation between storage temperature and shelf life.

l1a1man · January 20, 2005, 05:10

Be carful, during Desert Storm we were issued some that were past their shelf life and a few of the guys got sick from them.

**1gewehr** · January 20, 2005, 08:39

On the other hand, I have some left over from the MRE Field Trials in 1982 that are still good!!! Still have a case plus four loose meals. Ate one a month or so ago, no problem aside from this persistant desire for still more FALs!

I also seem to have this illusion that I will be getting an HB kit or two!?!

Stored correctly, MRE's will outlast you.
1gewehr

MACV · January 31, 2005, 16:10

I have a 34 year old LRRP Ration Im saving for when the SHTF.

Rifleman 7.62 NATO · January 31, 2005, 16:43

Quote:

Originally posted by MACV
I have a 34 year old LRRP Ration Im saving for when the SHTF.

Thats funny!!!!

Pistolwiz · January 31, 2005, 18:27

Quote:

Originally posted by l1a1man
Be carful, during Desert Storm we were issued some that were past their shelf life and a few of the guys got sick from them.

And to think that I thought they were gauranteed to provide prolonged constipation forever!

You always know when an MRE meal crowns.....................Ouchy!

l1a1man · January 31, 2005, 20:16

That"s funny!

I always found they start to taste like canned cat food after three weeks of eating them. I do love the green hot dogs though.

Pistolwiz · January 31, 2005, 22:03

Quote:

Originally posted by l1a1man
That"s funny!

I always found they start to taste like canned cat food after three weeks of eating them. I do love the green hot dogs though.

The old C-rats were a real adventure. We'd bet on if the date was older than us before we dug 'em out of the box. But like MRE's. They always make a turd.

I actually liked to munch on the dried pork and burger patties like a cracker. And wash them down with prodigeous amounts of H2O!

Gunga Din · January 31, 2005, 22:31

I'm eating 10 or 12 year old MRE entrees. The taste is off but hot sauce helps a lot!

CATM Larry · February 01, 2005, 19:54

Quote:

Originally posted by MACV
I have a 34 year old LRRP Ration Im saving for when the SHTF.

Good idea! Way cooler than a cyanide capsule

Larry

familyman357 · February 01, 2005, 23:50

Quote:

Originally posted by Gunpartsguy

And to think that I thought they were gauranteed to provide prolonged constipation forever!

You always know when an MRE meal crowns.....................Ouchy!

Taking a MRE dump.... when it eventually happens.... is one of life's greatest simple pleasures.

ThunderGod · February 02, 2005, 09:23

I still have various entrees and such from the mid 80's and actually lived on the stuff for a semester or two while I was in tech school. One of my house-mates' father was a Colonel in the Reserves and used to bring up a coupla cases a week. About the only things in an MRE that won't last for 20+ years are the old fortified cheese spread, the little bottle of Tobasco and the peanut butter. The cheese spread seems to chemically break down, as does the Tobasco. The PB just separates into oil and something the consistency of cement. Unopened, the cookies will last until Judgement Day. And still taste gooood.

January 19, 2005, 17:28	#1
SID325 Senior Member Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 14958 Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 566	MRE shelf life? I have about 4 cases of MRE's that I saved while I was in the Army from the early to mid 90's, only ate them when I had to, all look good, no leaking or bloating. Do you think they are still good? Thanks, Sid 82nd ABN.

January 19, 2005, 19:17	#2
jerrymrc Registered FALaholic #: 2331 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: colorado springs Posts: 4,878	Tempature is the big factor. The hotter the shorter the life. As I remember the food is still safe, Just does not taste as good. I have had MRE's from the early 90's last year and they were ok. I think if you were to freeze a MRE it would outlast YOU! Just my two cents and that chart I remember. __________________ Owner of the worlds lightest Fal. 5.8lbs. :)

January 20, 2005, 05:10	#5
l1a1man Registered FALaholic #: 15434 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: South Weber, Utah Posts: 478	Be carful, during Desert Storm we were issued some that were past their shelf life and a few of the guys got sick from them. __________________ Sgt, it's your job to go to new countries, meet new people and then kill them!

January 20, 2005, 08:39	#6
1gewehr Curio & Relic Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 2004 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: TN Posts: 2,155	On the other hand, I have some left over from the MRE Field Trials in 1982 that are still good!!! Still have a case plus four loose meals. Ate one a month or so ago, no problem aside from this persistant desire for still more FALs! I also seem to have this illusion that I will be getting an HB kit or two!?! Stored correctly, MRE's will outlast you. 1gewehr __________________ "Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss!"

January 31, 2005, 20:16	#10
l1a1man Registered FALaholic #: 15434 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: South Weber, Utah Posts: 478	That"s funny! I always found they start to taste like canned cat food after three weeks of eating them. I do love the green hot dogs though. __________________ Sgt, it's your job to go to new countries, meet new people and then kill them!

January 19, 2005, 19:23	#3
Opie Registered FALaholic #: 11730 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Drewsey, OR Posts: 2,075	If there is no leaking packages or bloated bags they are OK. Just keep them in a place that is is kinda stable in both light and in temperature. A good place to keep them is in a closet or something like that. Hope that this helps you out.

January 19, 2005, 19:42	#4
Texas Tactical TX Tactical Gear FALaholic #: 4886 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 356	Some general information on MRE's - http://www.mreinfo.com Currious about the exact date of manufacture? http://www.texastacticalgear.com/mre.php Type in your date code to find out. Generally MRE's last longer when kept in a cool dry place, and can have a shelf life of up to about 10 years. See http://www.mreinfo.com/mre-longevity.html for more information on the correlation between storage temperature and shelf life.

January 31, 2005, 16:10	#7
MACV Registered FALaholic #: 1167 Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: St Louis Posts: 2,568	I have a 34 year old LRRP Ration Im saving for when the SHTF.

January 31, 2005, 22:31	#12
Gunga Din Registered FALaholic #: 7437 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pgh., PA Posts: 3,853	I'm eating 10 or 12 year old MRE entrees. The taste is off but hot sauce helps a lot!

February 02, 2005, 09:23	#15
ThunderGod Banned TROLL FALaholic #: 7196 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,819	I still have various entrees and such from the mid 80's and actually lived on the stuff for a semester or two while I was in tech school. One of my house-mates' father was a Colonel in the Reserves and used to bring up a coupla cases a week. About the only things in an MRE that won't last for 20+ years are the old fortified cheese spread, the little bottle of Tobasco and the peanut butter. The cheese spread seems to chemically break down, as does the Tobasco. The PB just separates into oil and something the consistency of cement. Unopened, the cookies will last until Judgement Day. And still taste gooood.

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