Who has eaten the oldest MRE (or MCI !)

dex · Post by **dex** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 1:13 pm

I've eaten a vietnam era C-rat, pilot biscuits and pound cake but that was back in the 80s when I was a kid so it couldnt have been more than about 12 yrs old at that time which was about my age too.

Ration Man · Post by **Ration Man** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 3:48 am

I just read on another thread that the dark brown MRE packages are dated 1996 or older!!?? I bought and ate three MREs in 2004 at a gun show ,dirt cheap at $3 each. I guess they were eight or more years old! LOL. Tasted fine.....

Post by **kman** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:55 am

That's pretty much been my experience with the dark brown MREs, Ration Man. I've eaten the ones from 1991-1994 and have yet to run across a bad one (fingers crossed).

mw509 · Post by **mw509** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:04 am

kman wrote:That's pretty much been my experience with the dark brown MREs, Ration Man. I've eaten the ones from 1991-1994 and have yet to run across a bad one (fingers crossed).

That was your 666 post Kman. Is this a sign

Post by **kman** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:08 am

Oh man, I forgot that post was coming up soon. And it just had to be about eating an old and possibly expired MRE.

Oh well...at least this post pushes me over to 667.

CaptBob · Post by **CaptBob** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 7:42 pm

I mentioned this on a previous post, but the old MREs in the dark pouches keep pretty well -- just don't keep them in the hot attic.

The first thing that goes bad is the drink mixes. They tend to clump and have a bad, "off" taste to them.

People have complained about applesauce turning bad. I ate applesauce from a 1988 MRE and although the color was pretty dark, it tasted fine.

--CaptBob

kinglou0 · Post by **kinglou0** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 12:06 am

Well, i just fell A**backwards into 5 brown bag mre's circa 1992???
When i compare menu listings that's what i come up with.
Here's the Question:
Having no idea how they were stored over the years(they look in great shape), should i eat them? I'm feeling brave and my insurance is paid up, justing looking for some reassurance!

CaptBob · Post by **CaptBob** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 1:19 am

1992?

Go for it!

But scrutinize everything.

Check the individual packets -- no leaks or swelling? Okay.

Open the entree and check the smell. If if doesn't smell any worse than the usual canned food, you're in business.

If you survive, tell us of your experiences.

Bon appetit!

mw509 · Post by **mw509** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 2:43 am

CaptBob wrote:If you survive, tell us of your experiences.

And pictures if possible!

Dekard · Post by **Dekard** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 11:13 am

had a beef stew from 1992. it was mixed in with a box from '93. noticed it because there was no FRH in the bag.

anyway everything in the mre was still fine. i bought the box in '96 and it's been stored at about 70 degrees ever since.

the stew tasted fine - though the meat was a little tough. the maple nut cake didn't have one of those O2 absorbers in it but smelled and tasted ok.

the peanut butter and crackers were fine as well.

the only after affects was a little rumbly gut - most likely from the maple nut cake and a day of constipation.

sorry - no pix. i do have a ham loaf from the same case left that i am going to retire soon - so i'll post pix of that.

Who has eaten the oldest MRE (or MCI !)

OK

Ideas??