MRE Manufacturers use a 4-digit modified julian date code to indicate the manufacture date. This code is usually stamped on the MRE box and pouch. The location of the code can vary. The first digit represents the year, and the last three digits represent the day. Date code 7304 = 304th day of 2007. Sometimes other letters representing batch numbers will be appended to the date code (i.e. 7304C). Since the official longevity of an MRE is no longer than 10 years, and the modified date code makes it impossible to determine the decade of manufacture, this calculator assumes that your MREs are not 10 years old or more.
Items IN:
Southwest beef & black beans
Mediterranean chicken
Garlic mashed potatoes
Jalapeño cashews
Maple griddle cake
Pan coated flat-bottom tear drops
Mint (peppermint)
Mint (wintergreen)
Mint (caffeine)
Cinnamon roll
Cookie (brownie flavor)
Table syrup
Sugar free beverage base (w/vitamin C)
Items OUT:
Grilled chicken breast
Beef enchilada
Mashed potatoes
MRE XXIX (24 Menus) 2009 Production
Items IN:
Buffalo chicken
Beef brisket
Maple sausage
Potato cheddar soup
Biscuit
Corn bread
Chocolate chip snack bar
Cran apple snack bar
French toast cookie
Cracker combos, pepperoni
Cracker combos, cheddar
Ranch dressing, fat free
True lemon packet
Notes: brought the number of different menus to 24 when four ethnic-style entrees were added. Many new starches and snacks and a new vegetable cracker were added.
IN (R&D Items):
Beef teriyaki
Chicken strips in salsa
Buttered noodles
IN (NDI Items):
Spicy oriental chicken
Meat loaf with brown gravy
Pasta with vegetables in Alfredo sauce (vegetarian)
Granola bars: peanut butter, honey nut
Fruit filled bars
Cinnamon apples
Apple cinnamon toaster pastry
Snack mix
Shortbread cookies
Chewy chocolate bar
Tea bag
Vegetable cracker
OUT:
Pork with rice in BBQ sauce
Tuna with noodles
MRE XVII (20 Menus) 1997 Production
Notes: increased the menu size to 20 meals, introducing five new entrees with only one replacement. New commercial snack items, beverages and beef jerky were added.
IN (R&D Items):
Beef w/ mushroom gravy
IN (NDI Items):
Jamaican pork chop/noodles
Beef ravioli
Turkey breast w/ potatoes
Chicken w/ noodles
Fig bars
Snacks: corn chips, cheese curls, pretzels
Fruit flavored hard candy (individually wrapped)
Fruit flavored disc candy
Peanut bar
Apple cider beverage
Beef jerky
Strawerry jam
OUT:
Escalloped potatoes w/ ham
MRE XVI 1996 Production (16 Menus)
Notes: added four new entrees, including NDI, vegetarian and ethnic selections, as well as two new starches and jalapeno cheese spread.
IN (R&D Items):
Grilled beef steak
Mexican rice
White rice, butter flavored
New easy-open meal bag w/ graphics
Two-sided nutritional insert
IN (NDI Items):
Chicken parmesan
Pasta primavera (vegetarian)
Cheese tortellini (vegetarian)
Jalapeno cheese spread
OUT:
Potatoes au Gratin
MRE XV 1995 Production
Notes: replaced lower-rated entrees with two new entrees, tavern nuts, lemon tea and an improved brownie.
IN (R&D Items):
Chili macaroni,
Fruit-wet pack (pineapple, mixed),
Chewy fudge brownie
