My first MRE!!!

[icarus]

A co-worker of mine who was in the military dropped off this surprise on my desk this morning.
It seems to be a Beef Stew MRE from 1995.

I am a bit hesitant to try it being 12 years old, so I am looking for some feedback from others who may have eaten MRE's this old?

Keep in mind, this particular MRE has lived it's life in Southern New England Weather (probabably no more than 10 90 degree plus days per year (if this matters)

[kman]

I've eaten MREs that are that old before (13 years old relatively) and all the ones I've tried have been fine. That said, just practice safe MRE eating:

1. Check the packages for tears, punctures, or swelling. If you see any of this, throw the item away.

2. Open up the item (entree, side, spread, whatever) and smell it. Does it smell bad? Not dog-food bad, but spoiled-bad ? If so, throw it away.

3. Look at the food (can be scary even with a good MRE but you can do it). If the coloring looks off or strange, throw the item away.

4. Take a small taste. If you taste anything strange (something "not right", sharp, bitter, sour, etc.), spit out the food and thow the item away.

5. If all that looks good, chow down!

[kman]

Oops...I forgot the obligatory:

I am not a lawyer. I am not a doctor. I am not a biologist. I'm not even much of a cook. Eat old MREs at your own risk.

And remember these numbers...9-1-1.

[C-rats]

Chow down on that puppy!

[German_EPA]

I've eaten MREs that are that old before (13 years old relatively) and all the ones I've tried have been fine. That said, just practice safe MRE eating:

1. Check the packages for tears, punctures, or swelling. If you see any of this, throw the item away.

2. Open up the item (entree, side, spread, whatever) and smell it. Does it smell bad? Not dog-food bad, but spoiled-bad ? If so, throw it away.

3. Look at the food (can be scary even with a good MRE but you can do it). If the coloring looks off or strange, throw the item away.

4. Take a small taste. If you taste anything strange (something "not right", sharp, bitter, sour, etc.), spit out the food and thow the item away.

5. If all that looks good, chow down!

it couldnt better be pictured than you did it kman...

[Nawt]

I've eaten MREs that are that old before (13 years old relatively) and all the ones I've tried have been fine. That said, just practice safe MRE eating:

1. Check the packages for tears, punctures, or swelling. If you see any of this, throw the item away.

2. Open up the item (entree, side, spread, whatever) and smell it. Does it smell bad? Not dog-food bad, but spoiled-bad ? If so, throw it away.

3. Look at the food (can be scary even with a good MRE but you can do it). If the coloring looks off or strange, throw the item away.

4. Take a small taste. If you taste anything strange (something "not right", sharp, bitter, sour, etc.), spit out the food and thow the item away.

5. If all that looks good, chow down!

it couldnt better be pictured than you did it kman...

"yep, Listnen to the master" .
I'm curious how it chows down.

Regards, Nawt.

[icarus]

I finally dug into this MRE.

Over all it was rather tastey for being over 10 years old.
- The crackers were surprisingly crisp and the cheese stood the test of time as well
- The chocolate cookie was good as well
- The main entre (beef Stew) was not to bad. As far as really old food goes, I'd say it was the best I've had. Sure, I'm not comparing this to a sirloin steak, but for what it is, it's a good meal.
- The hot cocoa tasted like instant hot cocoa no matter how old. I did not try the grape drink, Ice Tea, or Candy.

Overall, I was pretty satisfied.

[Nawt]

I finally dug into this MRE.

.....
Overall, I was pretty satisfied.

Sounds like another happy MRE-eater .

[norge]

se this:viewtopic.php?t=943
do like me,i try everything as long as it looks good and have a
good smell.
yumi greatings from norge