Tips for eating an older ration

[Ahamby]

I acquired some early 2000's rations off of ebay. Although that's not super old it is the oldest ones in my collection right now. I believe they have been stored well. I am itching to crack them open and do some taste testing but if I being honest I am alittle nervous. Does anyone take charcoal tabs to combat toxic food? I know the basic common sense stuff but any tips are welcomed. Thanks in advance. Hope everyone is having a nice week. Happy Wednesday!
-AH

[housil]

If you get the whole case, check the TTI sticker first.
When trying an this old ration, use your common sense like does it smells suspicions? Are the pouches "swollen"? Do they taste "odd"? Do you get a "numb" feeling in your moth etc.

They could be still OK but it´s like a frozen lake - the ice cold be solid...

[SNiiP3R]

Just one tip, don’t die.

[rareauldmealtimes]

If you get the whole case, check the TTI sticker first.
When trying an this old ration, use your common sense like does it smells suspicions? Are the pouches "swollen"? Do they taste "odd"? Do you get a "numb" feeling in your moth etc.

They could be still OK but it´s like a frozen lake - the ice cold be solid...

Yep. Here's the general idea I've seen passed down from plenty of reviewers. Rule one, It's never worth getting sick over! If it's weird don't bother.

1. Visual Inspection? Check for discoloration, container condition, moisture, was the container pressurized? etc...
2. Take a sniff, Does it smell alright?
3. If so, then take a small little bite.
4. Does it taste alright? Take another small bite.
5. Anything weird at all? STOP. NOT WORTH IT.

I had some bad granola type bars from a FPSGP that instantly swelled my tongue up on a small bite. Smelled pretty neutral and not foul by any means but had a really oily residue. That was the first sign something was wrong. Tasted. Tongue immediately felt numb. Noped out of there. Not fun.

[ViperGTS]

Oh great... i have 3 FPSs yet to try, lol.

Keep an Rx of Cipro close by, its the A-Bomb of antibiotics for stomach issues. It kills Anthrax too, but i doubt that will be an issue. I have some on hand for my travels to the Caribbean/So. America but have thankfully never needed to take it. It has a lot of side effects.

2nd trick i use before going to 3rd world countries/eating something you are not sure of is prepping your stomach with probiotics, but you typically have to do that everyday for two weeks prior.

3rd trick is to take a dose of pepto bismol 30mins before eating questionable food.

Either these things work, or I'm lucky. I've had street food from all over and have never had any major stomach issues.

[rareauldmealtimes]

Oh great... i have 3 FPSs yet to try, lol.

It was that 1990 FPSGP in the silver pop top can... but yet the 1988 version was perfect. You have that older version with the spam can style right? I have higher hope for those. We shall see. I got a couple of them too! Need to check em out!

[ViperGTS]

Oh great... i have 3 FPSs yet to try, lol.

It was that 1990 FPSGP in the silver pop top can... but yet the 1988 version was perfect. You have that older version with the spam can style right? I have higher hope for those. We shall see. I got a couple of them too! Need to check em out!

Yeah i have 3, but one is getting sent to a collector in the Netherlands who offered a fair trade for some European rations that i have not had. Polish and Lithuanian i believe. Another mreinfo member wants one too, so keeping an eye out for more FPS.

[Ahamby]

Thanks everyone. I will keep y'all posted on how it goes.

[vespa]

If we don't hear from you for a few weeks, we can assume you died of food poisoning and you have donated your rations collections in your will to be distributed amongst the members of the forum.