Hi- first time poster here.
On the first page of the website, there is a statement that reads: The shelf life of the MRE is three (3) years at 80 degrees F. ……
However, the chart on the longevity page (if I am reading it correctly) says that the shelf life is 6 years at 80 degrees.
I just purchased some 2003 MRE’s and was wondering what kind of longevity I can expect.
VERY cool website !
Shelf Life Question
Hi Zorakcat - welcome to the forums!
That's a really good question you ask. I seem to recall reading as a general rule that MREs are good for 3 years at 80 degrees F but I don't think I ever paid close attention to that graph. And what do you know...you're right...it does say 76 months (6.33 years).
So I just did some digging and I'm finding different numbers at different sites.
This page: http://www.longlifefood.com/mre.html#Shelflife has the same graph as I do and it says 76 months at 80 degrees F.
But Sopakco's site says 48 months: http://www.sopakco.com/faq_mreshelflife.html .
And here at the official Natick site: http://nsc.natick.army.mil/media/fact/food/mre.htm , they say this:
I've always been curious about that 36 month figure because I've eaten MREs stored in all sorts of extreme conditions for at least four years and I always thought they tasted fresh. Now 10 year old MREs, sure...you can start telling the difference with some of the parts like cheese spread and applesauce - but the entrees and crackers and desserts always still seem to be good.
That's a really good question you ask. I seem to recall reading as a general rule that MREs are good for 3 years at 80 degrees F but I don't think I ever paid close attention to that graph. And what do you know...you're right...it does say 76 months (6.33 years).
So I just did some digging and I'm finding different numbers at different sites.
This page: http://www.longlifefood.com/mre.html#Shelflife has the same graph as I do and it says 76 months at 80 degrees F.
But Sopakco's site says 48 months: http://www.sopakco.com/faq_mreshelflife.html .
And here at the official Natick site: http://nsc.natick.army.mil/media/fact/food/mre.htm , they say this:
But check this out...over at the uber-official DSCP site: http://www.dscp.dla.mil/subs/rations/pr ... mreabt.htm they say:Key Features:
The MRE must maintain high quality for a minimum of three years at 80° F and six months at 100° F.
So I guess that's where I got the three year figure. Interesting stuff. I guess the real answer just depends on who you ask. If you ask a supplier, they'll say 48 months. Ask a seller and they'll say 76 months. Then ask the military and one department will say a minimum of 36 months while another department says 36 months flat.How long will it last?
The shelf life of the MRE is three (3) years at 80 degrees F. However, the shelf life can be extended through the use of cold storage facilities prior to distribution.
I've always been curious about that 36 month figure because I've eaten MREs stored in all sorts of extreme conditions for at least four years and I always thought they tasted fresh. Now 10 year old MREs, sure...you can start telling the difference with some of the parts like cheese spread and applesauce - but the entrees and crackers and desserts always still seem to be good.
-
Zorakcat
Thanks for the quick and informative reply
The entrees I have were all manufactured on the tail end of 2003. Based on your comments, it does not look like I have a thing to worry about when I camp this summer. (Unless these things were baking in the sun for weeks at a time)
You folks have carved out a nice community here! I look forward to reading your MRE articles and learning more about this subject.
Keep up the great work.
The entrees I have were all manufactured on the tail end of 2003. Based on your comments, it does not look like I have a thing to worry about when I camp this summer. (Unless these things were baking in the sun for weeks at a time)
You folks have carved out a nice community here! I look forward to reading your MRE articles and learning more about this subject.
Keep up the great work.