MRE Shelf Life

Discussions about US MREs and other US rations
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eekelley07
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Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 2:09 pm
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

MRE Shelf Life

Post by eekelley07 » Wed Jan 14, 2009 3:16 pm

Hi guys,
I am a new member to this site and found this site by looking for info on shelf life for MREs. I have a couple of Cold Weather Ration Packs (2A and 2B) from mid 90's from Right Away Foods in McAllen Texas. I was not sure how long MREs are good for or what the normal shelf life is. I also have a Menu Item 12 (Escalloped Potatoes with Ham) from the same company. Also a MRE from CINPAC Inc Menu No. 13 (Pork with Rice). There is no date of packaging on the outside pouches, so I am guessing at the age of these MREs. Any info on MRE shelf life, date of packaging, companies, etc. would be helpful. I think I can probably gain a lot of info by reading some of the postings on this site. Thanks.

norge
Posts: 1734
Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2005 3:57 pm

Re: MRE Shelf Life

Post by norge » Wed Jan 14, 2009 3:54 pm

hello :D

the ration cold weather should be just fine,i have eaten A lot of those
without any problems.
have also a taste test here on this forum,check out the main page.

when it comes to brown bag mres you can be lucky or not
deppending on how it have been stored,hot or cold.

if you post pictures of your brown bags here,a other
member from germany : mreheather72 migth help you with
a close date :D

cheers from norge

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mreheater72
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Location: Germany, Frankonia

Re: MRE Shelf Life

Post by mreheater72 » Wed Jan 14, 2009 4:30 pm

eekelley07 wrote: Also a MRE from CINPAC Inc Menu No. 13 (Pork with Rice). There is no date of packaging on the outside pouches, so I am guessing at the age of these MREs.
Welcome here eekelley07 :D !

If you look closely to the upper or bottom edge of the dark brown MREs packed by CINPAC, I´m rather sure you would find a date code!

Or look here:

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2582

So long mreheater72
"QUIDQUID AGIS PRUDENTER AGAS ET RESPICE FINEM"

eekelley07
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 2:09 pm
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Re: MRE Shelf Life

Post by eekelley07 » Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:00 pm

Thanks to all for your help. I did look at the CINPAC closely and saw a stamp of "0019 8". How do you interpret the date from this date?
Thanks

Garron
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Re: MRE Shelf Life

Post by Garron » Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:31 pm

0019

0 -1990
019= 19th day of the year

Date

January 19th 1990

http://www.mreinfo.com/us/mre/mre-date-codes.html

I think thats right.

Gaz

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