Why do Travellunch freeze dried items have such short shelf life?

[Teddydogno1]

I have several Travellunch freeze dried packages and they all have a short shelf life. I think they say 2 years. Why so short? Most other freeze dried foods have a MUCH longer shelf life.

Are they really that short for quality? Is the company just being cautious? Want to sell more food through turnover?


Rob

[SNiiP3R]

If an item contains any dairy products, for instance powedered milk, the shelf life of that item will reduce drastically.

[Teddydogno1]

I think EVERYTHING from Travellunch has a 2-year listed shelf life.


Rob

[housil]

"Travellunch" is made by the German "Reiter" Company. Over here in Germany, there is by regulation no longer shelf life than two years "allowed".

[carlosflar]

I think that those meals are high quality, and many have dairy, but probably they last longer than 2 years

[housil]

I think that those meals are high quality, and many have dairy, but probably they last longer than 2 years

Maybe I should open one of mine 2006 EPa leicht that has 8 of these

[carlosflar]

I think that those meals are high quality, and many have dairy, but probably they last longer than 2 years

Maybe I should open one of mine 2006 EPa leicht that has 8 of these

8 of them? Are those for feeding super soldiers or something like that

[Eistee]

I think that those meals are high quality, and many have dairy, but probably they last longer than 2 years

Maybe I should open one of mine 2006 EPa leicht that has 8 of these

8 of them? Are those for feeding super soldiers or something like that

EPA leicht is a 4 man, one day FD version of the EPA
Or rather was, as they got rid of it in 2013

[housil]

Eistee is right, the EPa leicht (not "light"!!) was a box to feed 4 soldiers a whole day with 8 FD entrees etc.

First version with canned "crackers" (left), second in a pouch (right)

8 FD entrees, bars, energy drinks like a McD milk shake etc.

Beef stew

[Teddydogno1]

That looks like a great item, housil. Did you open that recently to sample, or are those older pics?

It is good to know about the regulatory 2-year shelf life. That explains things a bit. I recently got a Dutch 24-hour ration with the freeze-dried Travellunch mains with Best By dates in early 2018. Good to know that I shouldn't have to rush to eat them.

Here in the U.S., it is my understanding that the FDA requires that companies put expiration or best by dates on food items, but doesn't specify a maximum or minimum. I generally pay pretty close attention to them for fresh foods, but no so much on canned and dried foods.

Rob