Old mre's

[wabbit]

Hi, does anyone know how long MREs are good for? I got a box of old MREs from a building we decommissioned last year, but there are no expiration dates on the plastic bags containing each meal. Is anyone familiar with the company Long Life Food Depot? Does anyone want it? I can bring it back with me when I return to the US in May, and you can have the whole box. I have no idea how old the MREs are, so you take your chances.

 

[wilcam47]

Prob be ok for 10-20 years easy. Id say they are still good

 

[303_enfield]

Those aren't USGI. USGI have bar codes and the main meal will have a date on it.

What does the box say?

 

[wilcam47]

MRE FAQs - Long Life Food Depot

What are MREs? In 1980 the U.S. Military followed the lead of the U.S. Space Program in recognizing the workability of a brand new food technology. They used it to totally overhaul their food ration program. They started putting servings of meat, vegetables and fruit into RETORT POUCH instead of...

longlifefood.com

 

[King Chicken]

Hi, does anyone know how long MREs are good for? I got a box of old MREs from a building we decommissioned last year, but there are no expiration dates on the plastic bags containing each meal. Is anyone familiar with the company Long Life Food Depot? Does anyone want it? I can bring it back with me when I return to the US in May, and you can have the whole box. I have no idea how old the MREs are, so you take your chances.

View attachment 455291

There is a guy on YT that eats rations from the 1940s and stuff. A bit dangerous but I'm sure these are fine? lol

The inside packages will have dates, as posted above.

 

[MattFinals718]

I bought two cases of MREs (all ~12 months old) during the pandemic in 2020, and eat them every once in a while. I do have to admit that nowadays, it's hard for me to eat them without my stomach getting mad at me, but I'm not sure if that's the age of the MREs, or the fact that my digestive system isn't as efficient now that I'm pushing 40.

 

[wilcam47]

I bought two cases of MREs (all ~12 months old) during the pandemic in 2020, and eat them every once in a while. I do have to admit that nowadays, it's hard for me to eat them without my stomach getting mad at me, but I'm not sure if that's the age of the MREs, or the fact that my digestive system isn't as efficient now that I'm pushing 40.

And the fact they are MRE's...they just provide food/calories. Not necessarily easy on the stomach

 

[MattFinals718]

And the fact they are MRE's...they just provide food/calories. Not necessarily easy on the stomach

Yeah, true. There's stuff that I could have handled at age 18 that I can't handle in my late-30s, and MREs seem to be one of those things. The preservatives are just a lot for me, even though I use probiotics (both in smoothies, and as a daily supplement).

I think that the last time I ate one of the MREs, I had a bad stomach cramp and bloating for the rest of the night afterwards.

 

[willtill]

I always liked the MRE spaghetti and meatballs in sauce, and I'd add a packet of MRE cheese and crunched up MRE crackers. Mix it all up with a couple of those mini-bottles of Tabasco and it was a grand meal.

 

[Allen65]

There is a guy on YT that eats rations from the 1940s and stuff. A bit dangerous but I'm sure these are fine? lol

The inside packages will have dates, as posted above.

You talking about this guy?


He's fun to watch, but stretches 5 minutes of material into a half hour.

 

[Allen65]

I always liked the MRE spaghetti and meatballs in sauce, and I'd add a packet of MRE cheese and crunched up MRE crackers. Mix it all up with a couple of those mini-bottles of Tabasco and it was a grand meal.

MRE Jalapeno Cheese Spread went well with anything.

 

[KJackson]

If you are willing to bring themback, I will give them a shot.

 

[6-Pack]

I have a “few” MREs I got over the years and dip into my stash every now and again to test them out. I have no problems with a 15 year old MRE (other than usual stomach disagreement from eating the Taco Bell of survival foods (MREs)). Personally, I like the crackers with cheese or peanut butter. A few of the desserts are good too. Seems like they just never go bad.

Also, USGI MREs have a sticker on the side that changes colors as the MREs age. Storage temperature greatly impacts lifespan, but “lifespan” is how the food tastes, not whether or not it will make you sick.

 

[wilcam47]

Yeah, true. There's stuff that I could have handled at age 18 that I can't handle in my late-30s, and MREs seem to be one of those things. The preservatives are just a lot for me, even though I use probiotics (both in smoothies, and as a daily supplement).

I think that the last time I ate one of the MREs, I had a bad stomach cramp and bloating for the rest of the night afterwards.

Sounds normal. They are made to keep you from shitting in field as much

I always liked the MRE spaghetti and meatballs in sauce, and I'd add a packet of MRE cheese and crunched up MRE crackers. Mix it all up with a couple of those mini-bottles of Tabasco and it was a grand meal.

Yup fan favorite here too

 

[King Chicken]

MRE Jalapeno Cheese Spread went well with anything.

"Cheese"... that cheese infused xantham gum came out of the squeezable pouch the same way outa the butt. Dependable flavor and poop consistency.

Remember folks....if you're going to poop in the woods after eating an MRE you must bury it deep. The preservatives will make your poop nearly immortal. Your poop after eating MRE cheese can just stay there through weather events and it's almost completely water proof. Don't let other people step on your logs.

 

[Bullfrog]

Hi, does anyone know how long MREs are good for? I got a box of old MREs from a building we decommissioned last year, but there are no expiration dates on the plastic bags containing each meal. Is anyone familiar with the company Long Life Food Depot?

Nope. No idea who that company is. Those may be well preserved food, but they are not MRE's.

Actual MREs are made by two companies that I know of, Sopakco and Wornick.

Those aren't USGI. USGI have bar codes and the main meal will have a date on it.

And a US DOD seal on the internal packaging.

Wornick packaging on left, Sopakco on right.

Edit: another packaging company which produces them is "Ameriqual"

 

[Alea Jacta Est]

Meals Rejected by Ethiopians

Never been a favorite. When hungry, I’ve eaten my share.

1 a day is my limit. (Or was). That has to have been about forty years ago.

 

[babalou]

If you are willing to bring themback, I will give them a shot.

some of us should do a meet up and sit around and try to eat them.

 

[Threeband]

I always liked the MRE spaghetti and meatballs in sauce, and I'd add a packet of MRE cheese and crunched up MRE crackers. Mix it all up with a couple of those mini-bottles of Tabasco and it was a grand meal.

 

[willtill]

Ya, those are C-rats. He’s way too dramatic

Eaten those a looooong time go. And if one was to look in he center console of my t4uck, they would find a P38.