Story at http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-33378014

"Sadly, there were no contents left in the tins of sliced bacon."

That is a disappointment.

Yes, though they are not optimistic about the flavor. But I don't suppose anyone will really know till they try it.

Here's a BBC story about a cured ham that's 112 years old, and whether or not it's still edible.

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-28299440

Some professors over at Texas A&M have been working on reducing the packaging size for MREs. Looks like there is currently no schedule for rolling this out.

http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/arti ... 90cec.html

I've got a camping trip coming up, and decided to get one of these magnesium bars as a backup fire starter. I'm having more than a little trouble getting the thing to work. I've cut little piles of magnesium dust (with the supplied short hack saw blade) but extensive efforts to light them have faile...

"Modular Operational Ration Enhancement"? LOL

But I'd like to try them. I feel like Oliver Twist. Please sir, can I have some MORE?

LOL, I have tried that too - outside. Yes, it burns. And yes, it tries to catch the FRH bag on fire.

On caution - the flame from burning hydrogen is almost invisible. Actually it does glow, but mostly in the ultraviolet. So be careful having fun with this, the flame might be larger than you realize.

LOL, I'm keeping a log of eating MREs and your story had a ring of familiarity to it. Here's what I wrote a month ago: ---------------- Date: 2/5/2009 MRE Date: 12-2005 Months old when eaten: 38 Manufacturer: Wornick Meal: 23 - Chicken with Cavitelli Heating method: Boiled Notes: Entree pretty good....

I've tried the Chipotle version. I think the flavor is excellent , but it isn't hot enough .

I would think MCIera is correct - the heat sterilizes an MRE. No point making it deader, unless you've got zombie bacteria or something. The irradiated foods I've heard of have been fruits (things like strawberries, which are prone to spoil fast). I don't think that tiny aluminum layer of an MRE pou...