Not sure if this is the place, but it is a "food item". Probably 10 /12? years ago, living in Fla.,was issued a few cases of mres after a hurricane, never used them, still in the original G.I. boxes. I really don't want to open the bxs.,will the #'s on the bxs tell me if these are still viable. #'s are as follows:
870-00-149-1094
MRE A/A
SO0300-03-D-7106
Thanks,
D

http://www.mreinfo.com/mres/mre-date-codes/

I'd eat them regardless of date. That schit never goes bad.

Try and keep them cool.




Dave

MREs are a huge improvement over the C-rations we ate in the field. Ours were so old they still came with a 4 pack of cigarettes.

I remember one Mt Goat hunt down on Mt Shavano in the 80's .I left my buddy take care of the meals. That is all he got.Darn good we both shot goats opening day or I would have starved trying o eat that stuff.
I understand the newer ones today are a lot better

Whether they're still edible or not depends on how they were stored. In the back of a dark air-conditioned closet? Possibly. Out in your Florida garage? Not on your life.

MREs are designed to have a five-year storage life under ideal conditions. Beyond that - even if stored cool, dark, and dry - and you're pushing your luck.

MREs from the last five or six years are pretty darn good. I eat a lot of them. They're made to appeal to the most people, so they're a bit bland. Many come with spices for those like me who prefer stronger-tasting foods. They're also pretty salty for preservation purposes. Also, they're pretty carb heavy because troops in the field need quick energy.

That mreinfo.com link is THE resource for ration information.

I eat 10 year old MRE's all the time.

They're fine.




Travis

depends how hungry you are, bet you would eat a swelled up can of dog food if the time was right. Yes they are safe

Generally the longer you store food, even sealed, canned, vac packed, etc. the nutritive value, taste and texture decline but the calories don't.
If the seal is intact it shouldn't be unsafe but it might not taste as good and as far as the nutrition goes you can always pop a vitamin.

I remember thinking C-rations were treats as a kid...

I wouldn't be quite as cavalier as Travis. Check out some TwoYubes videos of guys reviewing old MREs and you'll see plenty where several if not most of the items have gone bad - sometimes spectacularly so.

The bravest (most foolhardy) of those reviewers is Steve1989 who boldly goes where no sane tastebud has ever gone. Some of his experiences with MRE cheese and anything with nuts will give you pause as you eye your old stock of rations, I guarantee.

I still have some MRE from Hurricane Wilma back in 2005. I have been opening them, and discarding everything that seems bad. The entrees I have used were not bad, no spoilage. The cheese spread, and condiments, I just tossed. cookies, drink mix and biscuits have been fine,