first off i would like to say hello to all the members out there ive just joined after reading the forums for the last couple of weeks
anyhow ive just bought some mre's to go camping with in two weeks and most of them are dated 2010 but i have one beef enchilada menu 15 dated 7214
could anyone tell me if this is still ok to eat after 4 years
many thanks
mre eat by
Re: mre eat by
First of all, welcome to forums
Age is not the main problem of MRE, it´s the storage temperature. If you don´t have the case where the MRE came out from and can check thge red sticker (TTI), it´s difficult to say if thy are still ok or spoiled.
My personal opinion? Don´t worry after just 4 years, even when they were not stored proper, mostly it´s just the cheese and cookies spoiled, but I never had a spoiled main entree.

4 years?! That´s a rookie MREpjc71 wrote: could anyone tell me if this is still ok to eat after 4 years

Age is not the main problem of MRE, it´s the storage temperature. If you don´t have the case where the MRE came out from and can check thge red sticker (TTI), it´s difficult to say if thy are still ok or spoiled.
My personal opinion? Don´t worry after just 4 years, even when they were not stored proper, mostly it´s just the cheese and cookies spoiled, but I never had a spoiled main entree.
Re: mre eat by
pjc71
I eat 2005 and 2006 menus items all the time, trying to eat them down so I can resupply
with fresher dates , and have never had a problem with the main entree. All mine were stored inside my home, hopefully yours were too. As Housil said the cookies can go rancid. I have even eaten cookies I know to be rancid and they didn't make me sick. I do like them that much.
When in doubt, heat, open, smell and eat, provided it doesn't smell spoiled. If the cardboard box of the main entree is in good shape and the inner sleeve of the main entree isn't swollen and puffy you should be ok.
Here are a couple pictures of your Menu item #15
The apple juice didn't come with the MRE.
If you don't have plates campside you may want to use this method for eating your meal, this way you don't have to reach to far down into the envelope with the spoon. Plus, I usually put my side meal, squeezed out, inside the main course envelope, after heating of course. This works well with re-fried beans and/or rice.
Good Luck,
John
I eat 2005 and 2006 menus items all the time, trying to eat them down so I can resupply

When in doubt, heat, open, smell and eat, provided it doesn't smell spoiled. If the cardboard box of the main entree is in good shape and the inner sleeve of the main entree isn't swollen and puffy you should be ok.
Here are a couple pictures of your Menu item #15
The apple juice didn't come with the MRE.
If you don't have plates campside you may want to use this method for eating your meal, this way you don't have to reach to far down into the envelope with the spoon. Plus, I usually put my side meal, squeezed out, inside the main course envelope, after heating of course. This works well with re-fried beans and/or rice.
Good Luck,
John
Re: mre eat by
many thanks to both of you for the help and advice and the great pics ive seen a taste test on you tube for this menu and they said it was great so i will give it a go tonite as ive just had a small box of 2010 turn up today and will prob take them camping i love rations best bit about cadets all those years ago
Re: mre eat by
Current I´m eating my 2002 MRE´s . Next will be 4 cases from 2003... 

- mreheater72
- Posts: 1008
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 1:14 pm
- Location: Germany, Frankonia
Re: mre eat by
I also open the entree pouches that way, you are right, so it is much easier to reach to the bottom of the envelope with the spoon. If you open it the usual way, you can use the second tear mark after eating the first half to shorten the pouch.jaminphx wrote: ...If you don't have plates campside you may want to use this method for eating your meal, this way you don't have to reach to far down into the envelope with the spoon. Plus, I usually put my side meal, squeezed out, inside the main course envelope, after heating of course. This works well with re-fried beans and/or rice...
So long mreheater72
"QUIDQUID AGIS PRUDENTER AGAS ET RESPICE FINEM"