Date codes on Dutch rations
Date codes on Dutch rations
I got a few Ductch rations of ebay in the post today. The Boxes have a nice easy to understand Best before date on the side, however the Canned entrees that accompany the boxes all have a 4 digit (what I assume to be) date code of 4024. Anyone have any ideas if this is a manufactured date or best before date or what the shelf life is of the canned entrees. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
w00811
Thanks,
w00811
I'd guess that the "4024" code probably works like an MRE datecode - so it'd be the 24th day of 2004.
As for how long they last, there's probably a "recommended" time (which I don't know) and a practical time. I've seen canned goods last for 5, 10, even 20 years. Of course, your mileage may vary so just watch for punctured, leaking, or swelling cans.
As for how long they last, there's probably a "recommended" time (which I don't know) and a practical time. I've seen canned goods last for 5, 10, even 20 years. Of course, your mileage may vary so just watch for punctured, leaking, or swelling cans.
Re: Date codes on Dutch rations
Dear 00811,w00811 wrote:I got a few Ductch rations of ebay in the post today. The Boxes have a nice easy to understand Best before date on the side, however the Canned entrees that accompany the boxes all have a 4 digit (what I assume to be) date code of 4024. Anyone have any ideas if this is a manufactured date or best before date or what the shelf life is of the canned entrees. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
w00811
first of all, I hope you got genuine boxes. Therefore see my pictures to make sure:
There are two diffrent boxes avialable:

left (with printing) older one
right (with blue tape around and plain) actual one
The can is only for size imagination. The boxes are just as small as an adault persons hand.
You are right, the old boxes are having a best before date, the new ones don´t have any. They are plain:

Inside the boxes aren´t any canned entrees, the boxes contain only some accessoires like coffee, candy, sugar, instant soup, sweets, some canned pastry, (brit.) crakers, jam etc.:

The canned entrees come in a separate box, 10 of each and having a weight of 400g:

Each can has an production date and a best before date on it, without any 4-digit code:

Production date: Sep. 27th 2005
Best before: March 27th 2008
See next:

Instead of the cans, there are also bag like in the brit. rations avialable:

They don´t have a date on it.
Maybe you can post a picture of what you got.
The contant of a "new generation":

Much more color full...
4 x hot chocolate, 2 x instant coffee, 2 x creamer

Nut & raisin mix, Mars, Mentons

Pastry and cheese

Jam, instant soups, tea bags, sugar, chewing gum a.s.o.

Usual in trade goods had replaced the "military". Just put in plastic baggs to make them water proof...

Much more color full...
4 x hot chocolate, 2 x instant coffee, 2 x creamer

Nut & raisin mix, Mars, Mentons

Pastry and cheese

Jam, instant soups, tea bags, sugar, chewing gum a.s.o.

Usual in trade goods had replaced the "military". Just put in plastic baggs to make them water proof...
As far as I know the so called 'new generation' Dutch rations are a sort of substitutes for the real ones. The 'new generation' rations are compiled of 100% commercial available items. These commercial items are packed in a plain box. It has a small stamp that reads "handelsgebruikelijke ontbijt/lunch component" followed with a date stamp (probably a 'use best before' date). The two entree meals are separate.
The newest entrees are packed in the plastic pouches, just as in the British rations. The Dutch however have more content.
Since the Dutch military was present in Iraq and still is waging war in Uruzghan, combat rations are in high demand. The combat troops get the real stuff, whilst the troops at home get the substitutes. That's what I have been told.
The newest entrees are packed in the plastic pouches, just as in the British rations. The Dutch however have more content.
Since the Dutch military was present in Iraq and still is waging war in Uruzghan, combat rations are in high demand. The combat troops get the real stuff, whilst the troops at home get the substitutes. That's what I have been told.
"if you don't read the newspaper, you are uniformed. If you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed". (Mark Twain)
Dear aquarius,aquarius wrote:As far as I know the so called 'new generation' Dutch rations are a sort of substitutes for the real ones. The 'new generation' rations are compiled of 100% commercial available items. These commercial items are packed in a plain box. It has a small stamp that reads "handelsgebruikelijke ontbijt/lunch component" followed with a date stamp (probably a 'use best before' date). The two entree meals are separate.
The newest entrees are packed in the plastic pouches, just as in the British rations. The Dutch however have more content.
Since the Dutch military was present in Iraq and still is waging war in Uruzghan, combat rations are in high demand. The combat troops get the real stuff, whilst the troops at home get the substitutes. That's what I have been told.
first if all thx for thats information.
I have "only" 3 of the NL-rations, but 20 entrees.
I have postet the bag entree (Witte Bonen Met Bacon En Tomatensaus, 350g) above, I guess they are from the brit. Army. They are equal in size, shape, printing. Excapt the description is in NL.
So that explains why they replaced the MIL packages by usual in trade goods.
hi Housil,
The Dutch pouches with the entree meals are 50 grams heavier than the British rations are. The Dutch weigh 350 grams, the Brits 300 grams.
I agree that both rations are probably made in the same factory. The Dutch pouches even have the contents written on it in English.
As maybe already known to the forum members, I am not a fan of the Dutch rations, and neither of the British (rations, that is...). There is not enough variation in the meals and too few 'nifty' items, like candies or cakes.
Greetings aus den Niederlanden!
The Dutch pouches with the entree meals are 50 grams heavier than the British rations are. The Dutch weigh 350 grams, the Brits 300 grams.
I agree that both rations are probably made in the same factory. The Dutch pouches even have the contents written on it in English.
As maybe already known to the forum members, I am not a fan of the Dutch rations, and neither of the British (rations, that is...). There is not enough variation in the meals and too few 'nifty' items, like candies or cakes.
Greetings aus den Niederlanden!
"if you don't read the newspaper, you are uniformed. If you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed". (Mark Twain)
I can´t say if I like the NL rations, there isn´t in enough to figure out... (just kidding)aquarius wrote:hi Housil,
The Dutch pouches with the entree meals are 50 grams heavier than the British rations are. The Dutch weigh 350 grams, the Brits 300 grams.
I agree that both rations are probably made in the same factory. The Dutch pouches even have the contents written on it in English.
As maybe already known to the forum members, I am not a fan of the Dutch rations, and neither of the British (rations, that is...). There is not enough variation in the meals and too few 'nifty' items, like candies or cakes.
Greetings aus den Niederlanden!
As a collector, I must have them. If I like em or not. Also the brit. rations.
If we go to the fields (with the Reserve/National Guard), I prefer the german EPa (enough in stock, enough for a whole day, easy to handle) or the MRE´s (more variation, better candies).
I know you guy´s like pictures...


Last edited by housil on Sun Feb 11, 2007 2:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.