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Do MREs go bad--ever? by maryjane
Started on: 11-29-2011 01:59 AM
Replies: 24
Last post by: theogre on 11-30-2011 09:29 AM
maryjane
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Report this Post11-29-2011 01:59 AM Click Here to See the Profile for maryjaneSend a Private Message to maryjaneDirect Link to This Post
Just wondering. I know 40 yrs ago, we ate C-rations that were over a decade old, but I don't know anything about MREs and I have a bunch left from the last hurricane that came thru here.
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BlackThunderGT
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Report this Post11-29-2011 02:05 AM Click Here to See the Profile for BlackThunderGTSend a Private Message to BlackThunderGTDirect Link to This Post
They will last for years, I still have some from the 90's and they are still fine.
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1988holleyformula
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Report this Post11-29-2011 02:10 AM Click Here to See the Profile for 1988holleyformulaSend a Private Message to 1988holleyformulaDirect Link to This Post
Our history teacher (in 09 when I graduated) had a bunch of MRE's from the Vietnam era that he offered to let us try when we were going over that unit in class. They weren't good, but about what I expected for a military meal, I wouldn't know what they were supposed to taste like, but none of us that tried them got sick.
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hercimer01
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Report this Post11-29-2011 02:20 AM Click Here to See the Profile for hercimer01Send a Private Message to hercimer01Direct Link to This Post
GO BAD !!!??? As if they were ever any good in the first place !!!
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maryjane
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Report this Post11-29-2011 02:22 AM Click Here to See the Profile for maryjaneSend a Private Message to maryjaneDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
originally posted by 1988holleyformula:
Our history teacher (in 09 when I graduated) had a bunch of MRE's from the Vietnam era that he offered to let us try when we were going over that unit in class. They weren't good, but about what I expected for a military meal, I wouldn't know what they were supposed to taste like, but none of us that tried them got sick.


Not possible. MREs didn't come into being until the 80s.
Saigon fell April 30, 1975, but most US troops were already out well before that.
I left Vietnam on the morning of June 2, 1971 @ 0831 Danang time and we were certainly still eating C-Rations that morning.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 11-29-2011).]

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RWDPLZ
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Report this Post11-29-2011 02:39 AM Click Here to See the Profile for RWDPLZSend a Private Message to RWDPLZDirect Link to This Post
While we're on the subject, is there a civilian version of the cheese spread in the modern MRE's? I LOVED that stuff! But the MRE's I got usually had the peanut butter

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fierobear
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Report this Post11-29-2011 02:45 AM Click Here to See the Profile for fierobearSend a Private Message to fierobearDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by RWDPLZ:

While we're on the subject, is there a civilian version of the cheese spread in the modern MRE's? I LOVED that stuff! But the MRE's I got usually had the peanut butter


Cheeze Whiz?

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RWDPLZ
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Report this Post11-29-2011 02:50 AM Click Here to See the Profile for RWDPLZSend a Private Message to RWDPLZDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by fierobear:


Cheeze Whiz?


No, closest I've found is handi snacks, but the cheese isn't as thick, and they come in such small quantities!

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twofatguys
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Report this Post11-29-2011 02:58 AM Click Here to See the Profile for twofatguysSend a Private Message to twofatguysDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by RWDPLZ:

While we're on the subject, is there a civilian version of the cheese spread in the modern MRE's? I LOVED that stuff! But the MRE's I got usually had the peanut butter



I found this site while searching for different things for the hike.

http://www.longlifefood.com/Spreads/products/1032/

Though I only see the cheese with bacon on that page.

Brad
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MstangsBware
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Report this Post11-29-2011 03:07 AM Click Here to See the Profile for MstangsBwareSend a Private Message to MstangsBwareDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by hercimer01:

GO BAD !!!??? As if they were ever any good in the first place !!!


Certain ones where pretty damn good while others where not so much....I remember when I first got in they where so-so but as the years passed they where getting much better.....I used to stock up on them as alot did not like them..Hell I still have packets out of the MREs laying around in random drawers....
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1988holleyformula
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Report this Post11-29-2011 03:10 AM Click Here to See the Profile for 1988holleyformulaSend a Private Message to 1988holleyformulaDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by maryjane:


Not possible. MREs didn't come into being until the 80s.
Saigon fell April 30, 1975, but most US troops were already out well before that.
I left Vietnam on the morning of June 2, 1971 @ 0831 Danang time and we were certainly still eating C-Rations that morning.



Hmmm, well we can probably chalk that up to another lie that was told to in high school. Would they possibly been C-rations? Or maybe he just went down to the local army surplus store and picked up some MREs? I wouldn't exactly be an expert in knowing the difference. Honestly, it was late spring of my Senior year, and I only remember eating the extremely dry crackers, though I'm sure there was more offered.
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Report this Post11-29-2011 03:55 AM Click Here to See the Profile for NiterrorzSend a Private Message to NiterrorzDirect Link to This Post
MRE's are awesome! i love the pound cake. i dunno if they never go bad but i had one form the 80s in the original dark brown package and they are only suppose ot be good for 10 years but it was still good. i miss MRE's they are just so damn good!
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blackrams
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Report this Post11-29-2011 05:34 AM Click Here to See the Profile for blackramsSend a Private Message to blackramsDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by 1988holleyformula:


Hmmm, well we can probably chalk that up to another lie that was told to in high school. Would they possibly been C-rations? Or maybe he just went down to the local army surplus store and picked up some MREs? I wouldn't exactly be an expert in knowing the difference. Honestly, it was late spring of my Senior year, and I only remember eating the extremely dry crackers, though I'm sure there was more offered.


C Rations were contained in cans and normally came in a small cardboard box. They came issued with a can opener known as a P-38.
MREs came in a plastic vacuum sealed pouch as I remember. Neither were real good but both contained huge numbers of calories.

The Shelf Life of MREs is directly related to the ability of the user to make do with what ya got. I'm sure you'll do well Don.

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Report this Post11-29-2011 07:37 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Fiero_Fan_88Send a Private Message to Fiero_Fan_88Direct Link to This Post
I love MRE's. Buffalo chicken mre was the best. Trade some one else the gaterade packet for the mocha coffee then the m&ms for the cheese spread... We used to be able to have 2 a day, we would spend more time trading than we did eating. Remember to eat the laxative gum or you will not be pooping right....
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Report this Post11-29-2011 08:08 AM Click Here to See the Profile for RotrexFieroClick Here to visit RotrexFiero's HomePageSend a Private Message to RotrexFieroDirect Link to This Post
They certainly dont last forever and they were designed for high calories and also to bind you up. They were not meant to replace regular food but as an emergency source. Personally they are aweful but they will keep you alive.

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cliffw
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Report this Post11-29-2011 08:19 AM Click Here to See the Profile for cliffwSend a Private Message to cliffwDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by maryjane:
Do MREs go bad--ever?
Just wondering. I know 40 yrs ago, we ate C-rations that were over a decade old, but I don't know anything about MREs and I have a bunch left from the last hurricane that came thru here.

Did you get in trouble critiquing Jane's cooking, ?
Did you get my PM about me having a choice of AAFO T shirts for you ?
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Old Lar
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Report this Post11-29-2011 08:21 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Old LarSend a Private Message to Old LarDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by maryjane:


Not possible. MREs didn't come into being until the 80s.
Saigon fell April 30, 1975, but most US troops were already out well before that.
I left Vietnam on the morning of June 2, 1971 @ 0831 Danang time and we were certainly still eating C-Rations that morning.



While in training at Sheppard AFB, we did get to eat something out of cans. I can still remember that first meal..cold scrambled eggs and ham. It wasn't good warm, but cold?

I beat you out leaving Aug 14, 1970 from Danang about noon. But I was stationed at the 366 Dispensery right next to the mess hall, so I usually had good food...mystery meat and all.
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Report this Post11-29-2011 08:36 AM Click Here to See the Profile for RallasterSend a Private Message to RallasterDirect Link to This Post
Going through basic in 2003, we had MRE's dated to 1994... Once out of basic, and onto my duty station, the oldest I saw were dated to 2000.

The only MRE I came across that wasn't atleast halfway good was the vegetarian. The grilled chicken was really good as was the pork rib. I liked the (jalapeño) cheese spread on the wheat bread.
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Phil
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Report this Post11-29-2011 08:45 AM Click Here to See the Profile for PhilSend a Private Message to PhilDirect Link to This Post
I had to eat those blasted C rats for almost 30 days straight in Nam before we got a mess hall. Dong Ha northern I corps
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maryjane
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Report this Post11-29-2011 11:12 AM Click Here to See the Profile for maryjaneSend a Private Message to maryjaneDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Phil:

I had to eat those blasted C rats for almost 30 days straight in Nam before we got a mess hall. Dong Ha northern I corps


Dong Ha--Oh--You poor sob--The red mud captol of the world in rainy season and dust capitol the rest of the time. Glad I didn't have to go there much. And that river--it stank to hell and back. Con Thien was nearly as bad.
Here's to Ham and mother******s. and those who had to endure them.


I had them at least 1 meal--usually 2 meals every day I flew, and i flew almost every day. Lars, we also had a mess hall and a good one--I just wasn't there to eat at it very often. Maybe breakfast and that was about it. That was fine with me--they had Red Death most other meals anyway--Corn Beef supposedly.

Well, I guess I will never starve, since it seems to be the concensus that MREs have an open ended shelf life.

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Report this Post11-29-2011 11:17 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Doug85GTSend a Private Message to Doug85GTDirect Link to This Post
I don't know about the ones they have today. I know when I was in the service from 90-96, the ones I still had from 91 were edible but tasted terrible by the time I ETS'ed.

MRE Tip: Cut them open with a knife so you have a clean cut on the pouch. Save two pouches and now you have a free water proof container for small things like books, snacks etc. You place items in one, then slide the 2nd pouch over the first.

[This message has been edited by Doug85GT (edited 11-29-2011).]

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Report this Post11-29-2011 12:31 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Marvin McInnisClick Here to visit Marvin McInnis's HomePageSend a Private Message to Marvin McInnisDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by maryjane:

I know 40 yrs ago, we ate C-rations that were over a decade old ...



I have a friend who opened a package of K-rations in Viet Nam and found some Lucky Strike Greens inside. (Lucky Strike ... the cigarette brand ... stopped using the "Green" packaging during WW-II.) When he was issued his sidearm (a 1911 .45 Colt) it was still sealed in the original WW-I packaging.

[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 11-29-2011).]

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Report this Post11-29-2011 12:38 PM Click Here to See the Profile for Fiero_Fan_88Send a Private Message to Fiero_Fan_88Direct Link to This Post
http://www.mreinfo.com/us/mre/mre-shelf-life.html
Officially, how long MREs last depends on how long and at what temperatures they are stored. At a minimum, they should last 1 month when stored at 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius). Or they could last 5 years at 50 °F (10 °C). Here's the most current time and temperature chart as of 2010:


If you read into that sight more they used to be good for 10 years but since cutting out freeze dried portions they've decreased substantially.
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hercimer01
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Report this Post11-30-2011 12:53 AM Click Here to See the Profile for hercimer01Send a Private Message to hercimer01Direct Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by MstangsBware:


Certain ones where pretty damn good while others where not so much....I remember when I first got in they where so-so but as the years passed they where getting much better.....I used to stock up on them as alot did not like them..Hell I still have packets out of the MREs laying around in random drawers....


Yeah, I liked the spaghetti ones best. I had to eat them when I got activated for flood duty in 1993. The peanut butter works pretty good for radiator patch.
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Report this Post11-30-2011 09:29 AM Click Here to See the Profile for theogreClick Here to visit theogre's HomePageSend a Private Message to theogreDirect Link to This Post
"Do MREs go bad--ever?"

Yes... Chart above shows why... Plus reason why some says they hate most/all MRE. Hi temp storage can mean low taste product even if the MRE won't hurt anyone.

MRE have been subject of recall too. One I know of... Huge batch was "recall" because of packaging was bad and people got food poison. (from around 1995). More recent Dairy (Military) and peanut butter (Consumer) had problems. Just web search: recall Mre

So if you have product with iffy package, good idea is just throw it out.

And Commercial MRE does Not always = Military MRE. For one, Commercial products may not pass Military tests for self life.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
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[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 11-30-2011).]

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