Does MRE filed stripping decrease its shelf life?

Name_not_found · Post by **Name_not_found** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 8:58 am

Dingleberry Johnston wrote:
rations_qa wrote:just wanted to ring in, as my screen name implies I do QA with the Army subsitance program...
I believe the word is "sustenance"...not "subsitance".
y.

I think he just spelled it wrong?

There are many government subsistence programs, mostly for wild areas, Alaska etc, but in this context i believe he is referring to soldier subsistence in the field.

AKA getting and maintaining a protocol for local supplies over time

Hopefully he will be back to clarify

rations_qa · Post by **rations_qa** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 2:19 pm

I would like to take a moment to apologize to the members of this forum, for my spelling and grammatical errors. I was on my phone when I made the other posting, big fingers…small keyboard and without the luxury of a proof reader. LOL

I’ve worked inspecting MRE, UGR-H&S, UGR-B and other Operation Rations for the past 5 years as a QA for Subsistence, not "sustenance". The publication that I mentioned in my first post, written by Natick, ISBN 978-1-60595-049-5, shouldn’t need my credibility to be accurate as a reference.

Again sorry for any confusion that my previous posting may have caused, and again… if it DOES NOT smell right or look right don’t consume it.

armorrich · Post by **armorrich** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 3:46 pm

No apologies necessary here....i'm sure that most of us with a military backround knew well what you meant. Thanks for what you do to help keep our operational rats safe for consumption by our troops....best, rich

Woodland · Post by **Woodland** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 1:06 pm

rations_qa wrote:just wanted to ring in, as my screen name implies I do QA with the Army subsitance program.

Treesuit made a comment about the guys from Natick Laboratory putting out something concerning this well they did and he right about it being a myth. Natick published "Military Food Engineering and Ration Technology" they state " the current outer Meal Bag provides no shelf life benefit for the non-retort and retort pouch." because it is a moisture, insect barrier but doesn't prevent O2 from getting in.

Woodland as to your second question deep creases in the pouch can cause pin holes in the foil of the quadlam which could shorten shelf life, follow everyones advice when you open it and if it does smell right or look right don't eat it.

keep them dry and cool to maintain max shelf life.

Thank you for the information.That's what i meant on the creases.I think that they weaken the pouch.One is a Chicken w. Feta Cheese and I like it...
The other one is Roast Beef w. Veggie also my favourite.

Woodland · Post by **Woodland** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 4:17 pm

Woodland · Post by **Woodland** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 4:22 pm

How can I post pics

Woodland · Post by **Woodland** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:25 pm

I've made some photos.3 out of 5 have that crease at the same place.You can't see what I mean but they look deep...Is it normal?
I hope I'm just exaggerating the problem...

Treesuit · Post by **Treesuit** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:40 pm

There is a simple way you can check for pinholes and that is to take the pouch and apply a little pressure on the reverse side. If you gently squeeze the pouch and nothing oozes out then the pouch is fine. If you have pinholes then some sort of juice or liquid will start to leak outward. If that's the case throw it away becuase the laminate foil has been compromised.

rations_qa · Post by **rations_qa** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 4:08 pm

I’ve seen rations that were in far worst physical condition, and did not leak. Use Treesuit’s recommendations to test them, I use the same procedure on all the rations I inspection to look for weakened seams. I hope you don’t have any problems the Chicken and Feta is one of my favorites as well, Chicken Pesto is pretty good too!

Woodland · Post by **Woodland** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 8:19 am

Re: Does MRE filed stripping decrease its shelf life?

Unread postby rations_qa » Mon Nov 19, 2012 4:08 pm
I’ve seen rations that were in far worst physical condition, and did not leak. Use Treesuit’s recommendations to test them, I use the same procedure on all the rations I inspection to look for weakened seams. I hope you don’t have any problems the Chicken and Feta is one of my favorites as well, Chicken Pesto is pretty good too!

I checked them again yesterday in bright sunlight.Well...I decided not to "torture" the pouches.I know that they should endure 1000 flexes but I don't want to test them to their limits.I'm gonna eat Feta Chicken first.Anyway,this wouldn't be a problem if MREs were always available here.But they aren't, at least for such a good price.There is also a Ratatuille menu in the shop but it's outer bag is cut and there's a 1cmx1cm hole...
I have a Chicken Pesto as well

.I will save it for later.