If you’re wondering how long are MREs for? Take your pick of opinions. Most experts will agree that the 3.5 year shelf life is extremely conservative and a more realistic number, that is generally accepted, is that an MRE stored at 75°F will last about 5 years. Officially, how long MREs last depends on how long and at what temperatures they are stored. If they’re stored under cool weather conditions, MREs can last up to 10 years without going bad. If you’re a vegetarian, opt for dried frozen vegetables available in individual assorted packets. For instance, a Chili with Beans MRE is about 1,291 calories (36 Grams of protein, 83 percent fat, and 177 Grams of carbohydrates) and about half of the Military Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamins and minerals. Click on a term to search for related topics. Well read on champ! The current nomenclature states, “The shelf life of the MRE is three (3) years at 80 ° Fahrenheit. The date indicated on an MRE is referred to as the inspection date as opposed to the expiry date. With some of the food manufacturing companies claiming that their meals last up to 25 years, there’s a rising concern with users seeking to understand how they can keep their meals safe and edible for that long. One case containing 12 MREs can cost between $80 and $100. All MRE cases have some sort of MRE date code on them that you can use to determine when they were packaged. Higher temperature ranges will reduce the lifespan MRE. In 1980, meals ready to eat was innovated and are still used in the U.S. Army’s essential ration. The shelf life of an MRE majorly depends on the storage temperature conditions. 25 YEAR SHELF LIFE Freezed Dried and Dehydrated meals, MRE's and Food Ration Bars. At a minimum, they should last 1 month when stored at 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius). MREs stored in low temperatures are likely to stay in mint conditions for up to 10 years, while those stored in higher temperatures are edible for only a few months. Taste is always subjective so take the reviews with a grain of salt. Photo courtesy U.S. Department of Defense. Because of the importance of a hot meal, all military MREs come packaged with a flameless heater. Most homes rarely get above 75°F in the United States so this is a fairly safe number to go by. In testing MREs that were made more recently, the same laboratory discovered they have a shelf life of approximately 60 months when stored at 60 degrees—less than half of that of the older MREs. How Long MREs Last After Inspection Date? If stored at 80oF, MREs can last between 3 to 5 years without refrigeration. MREs or Meals Ready to Eat, are quite popular among survivalists and in the prepping community because of their long shelf life. The vegetables reduce protein content in the body. Some people (on usenet) say that an MRE may lose its flavor or turn an unappetizing color but will still retain all the nutritional value. The average military MRE gives the soldier an average of 1,300 calories. But it’s their lifespan that has everybody talking. How Long MREs Last After Inspection Date? It’s worth mentioning that these ready to eat foods can hardly go past a month when stored under 120 degrees F. Often, MREs come with both packed and inspection dates. The advent of the coronavirus pandemic woke people up to the possibility of having to remain cooped up in the house for long periods of time. That is the official word on MRE shelf life but it isn’t that simple. It’s obvious that MRE meals aren’t going to taste as good a fresh food, and this is mainly because these are meals meant mainly for survival. I still have the P-38 that I was given that day. At a minimum, they should last 1 month when stored at 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius). The corned beef hash was like any can of corned beef hash I’ve ever eaten. This is attributed to the fact that MREs contain high sugar levels and increased nutritional content. Often, military personnel carry them when they go on training or a mission. Or they could last 5 years at 50 °F (10 °C). These include the place where you store it and the temperature at which it is stored. an emergency or even accessing the store can be an arduous task, and this is why you should always have ready to eat food within easy reach. How Long Do MREs Last? Copyright Survivalist Gear 2020. As mentioned above, you can expect MREs to last for a long time. Individual MRE Meals. Depending on the type of emergency, power could be disrupted for many hours and sometimes days. We stock the Best Brands in Food Storage ! MREs are a survival food and, while you can take it every day, the recommended duration is a maximum of 21 days. Each package of MREs contains the sufficient ingredients you need from a meal. FullGold: Disaster Preparedness General Discussion: 16: 02-28-2014 03:22 PM: How long after expiration do MRE's Last: bugging22: Disaster Preparedness General Discussion: 11: 02-24-2012 04:40 PM Unlike in the past when MREs were a preserve of the military, civilians can access them today. Practically, the darn things last a long, long, time. 2,884 Posts #21 • Oct 9, 2018. You can eat your MRE both cold and hot inside the plastic utensils and wrappers provided. MREs are meant to be eaten from anywhere at any time of the day. As long as your MRE supplies are not damaged in any way (swelling, punctured, ripped, etc…) then they should last for quite awhile. These can be; beef stew and spaghetti. The studies further indicate that 8 million out of this number are vegetarians with 1 million being vegan. The rugged retort packaging also makes MREs highly durable. How Long do MREs Last? Most MREs have an estimated shelf life of 5 years. In short, MREs on average has a shelf-life of three years if it is kept at 75 degrees Fahrenheit or 23.89 degree Celsius. Read more . There are official answers and there are practical answers. While this shouldn’t raise an alarm, if you experience severe symptoms you may need to consult your medical practitioner. Finding survival food during an emergency or even accessing the store can be an arduous task, and this is why you should always have ready to eat food within easy reach. And there are some companies (the military included) that do a phenomenal job of preserving the taste of the product along with the edibility. They will come in handy when you can hardly find something to eat and save your life and that of your loved ones before the emergency response team finally arrives. As long as the inner circle is still lighter than the outside circle, the MREs are supposed to be good. Most human beings much prefer a warm meal to a cold one, especially if they're in cold or wet conditions. Ordinary civilians with more relaxed schedules shouldn’t consume an entire MRE in one sitting. See examples below. At a minimum, they should last Remember, the components in each MRE vary and you won’t find two MREs containing similar items. Often, the US Department of Defense utilizes Military MREs for servicemen and women when they’re out on a mission or training. 3. MRE manufacturers don’t use expiration dates in the traditional sense of a day, month, and year. You can use fiber pills instead of multivitamins. The MRE comes with one of these accessories. Officially, how long MREs last depends on how long and at what temperatures they are stored. Storage Life & Temperature : Temperature and temperature changes have the most to do with the shelf life of stored food than any other factor. Advanced MREs provide a wide range of food options unlike was the case in the past. You can stuff them in your backpack for easy transportation. But civilian and military MREs today no longer use freeze-dried components so their shelf lives follow the newer chart above. This time decreases as the temperature of your storage area increases. In this post, we’ll answer the question: how long do MREs last? The Meal, Ready-to-Eat – commonly known as the MRE – is a self-contained, individual field ration in lightweight packaging bought by the United States Department of Defense for its service members for use in combat or other field conditions where organized food facilities are not available. The MRE rations are meant to be consumed in one serving. Today, both the military and civilians can choose MREs that contain various ingredients such as beef, chicken, pork, or beef as the main dish. Which isn't that bad of a downside as long as it keeps you alive. Or they could last 5 years at 50 °F (10 °C). Studies show that there are 240 million adults aged 18 years and older. It’s important to understand how old the MRE’s you’ve purchased are. Only hungry Marines and maybe Army Rangers would really do this. A MRE's shelf life is about 5 years, if stored at 75° F or less. Steve1989 has the best utube channel on MREs and rations: Steve1989MREInfo But how long do they last? It also contains a third of the recommended military daily allowance of minerals and vitamins. The reality is that the cooler the storage temperature, the longer the MRE will last and, even once some elements of the MRE have gone bad, others will still be ok to eat. Here’s the most current time and temperature chart as of 2010: Another MRE “Time and Temperature” chart like the one to the left can be found on the Internet. A typical case will have both a packed date and an inspection date. If the only food you have is MREs you can survive on them for a long time – years, probably – but it definitely wouldn’t be good for you. As we’ve already mentioned, the inspection date is between three to five years after the packaging date. MREs contain enough nutrients and energy sufficient to keep your body well-nourished. That lasts a LONG time! According to Go Army, the practical answer is an MRE is designed stay good for three and a half years at 80 degrees F, or nine months at 100 degrees F. The “real” answer is that so long as the MRE package is not damaged in any way, MREs will last “a long time.” Entree. The latter usually falls three years after the lapse of the packed date. How to Get A Ham Radio License (FCC Amateur, Test Online, Cost, & Find Study Classes), How to Make a Snare Trap Step By Step (Build, Set, Tie, & Wire), Emergency & Survival – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). MRes degrees are much less common in Europe. How Long do MREs Last? Or they could last 5 years at 50 °F (10 °C). MRE 20 Year Old Taste Test Beef Patty- MRE'S Meals Ready To Eat| Long Term Food Storage How long do MRE's last? You may want to keep them under cool temperatures to prolong their shelf life. A hot meal, on the other hand, can lift a soldier's spirits. MRES packages are thermostabilized to keep the food for an extended time. Generally, the closer to 50 degrees Fahrenheit that the product is stored, the longer it will last. This makes it ideal for people engaging in strenuous outdoor activities as opposed to people with more sedentary lifestyles. Spread such as; peanut butter, cheese spread, or jelly, Candy including; Skittles, M&Ms, or Tootsie Rolls, Beverages such as Gatorade-like mixes, dairy shakes, cocoa, coffee, tea, A flameless ration heater which you’ll use to heat the entree. The ham slice was nice and tender – more like Hormel’s Tender Chunk Ham. Why do MREs last so long? An MRE at average temperatures of 75° F will last for about five years. At a minimum, they should last 1 month when stored at 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius). MREs are sturdy, energy-dense, can be eaten without preparation and have a long shelf life. If you know when your MREs are expiring, you’ll be able to make sure you use them in time. The shelf life of MRE is one of the main factors that you should consider when searching for long term food. It’s critical to understand when purchasing MREs that if you’re buying them on the inspection date then almost 67% … Still, you can take advantage of MREs for sale for yourself. But that’s it for the “official” information. These are individually packed foods that; as the name suggests are ready to eat at just about a moment’s notice. Shannon G. has great answer and I have an "Extra Report" to add. But seriously how long can you expect MREs to last? Per the GoArmy website , military MRE meals “must maintain a shelf life of at least three and a half years when stored at 80 degrees Fahrenheit.” Meal Kit Supply, a company that makes civilian MREs, says their product has an estimated shelf life of 5.5 years when stored at 70 degrees, which I think is a conservative estimate. Click here for the official info on the TTIs. Date MREs via Bag color. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you have no access to food or water, you may need to consume MREs more than the recommended period. If you’re using MREs for the first time, be on the lookout for symptoms that include: a change in appetite, energy, digestion, stool, and urine. Each MRE offers an average of 1,250 calories or: 36% fat, 13% protein, and 51% carbohydrates. They’re water-proof, impact-resistant, air-droppable up to 100 feet, and hermetically sealed against pests and contaminants. An MRE remains in good condition for 5 years under 75 degrees F. When MREs are stored under room temperature, they can last up to approximately three years. They can help you and your family cope during times of uncertainties. Why Buy From SURVIVAL FOOD? These include; the main dish, energy bars, side dishes, beverage flavoring powders, desserts, and instant coffee. They also include pepper, salt, spoon, toilet pepper, Tabasco sauce, and chewing gum. The cooler the temperature, the longer they will store. MREs are more costly compared to dried frozen meals and fresh foods. MREs come in tightly sealed, light packages that are resistant to the elements, and can last long when handled in the recommended manner. Today, however, you can purchase civilian MRE from any reputable retailer shop in your locality, and store them for use in case of an emergency. How Long Do MREs Last? The Army’s Natick Research Laboratories tests indicate that MRE from the early 80′s and 90′s stored below 60 degrees have a shelf life of about 130 months. MREs can withstand extreme weather conditions. There are two parts to the TTI – an outer dark circle and an inner light circle. See Which Brands Last The Longest . Now that's a pretty awesome statement right? The average numbers I hear a lot for MRE freshness are 3 years at “normal” temperatures (80 degrees F). At 80°F, they could be good up to 6 years. The average MRE shelf life lasts five years in 75 degrees F. If kept in cooler conditions, they can last well over 10 years and still be safe to eat. If I had to guess, I’d say the cheese and fruits (non-dehydrated) won’t make it 6+ years but the peanut butter, crackers, pound cakes, nut cakes, etc. Use and do not exceed the recommended shelf life. How long will MRE's last? However, this timeframe only applies if the storage temperature is at a constant of 75° F for those five years. If you don’t have ready to eat meals, you’ll have nothing to eat, and if emergency teams don’t respond fast, people could potentially starve to death. That said, it’s always a good idea to check to see what a product’s expiration date is. MREs are made to have a lifespan from 3 years (if kept at 80-degree Fahrenheit) to 10 years (if kept at 60-degree Fahrenheit) ( source ). It is a decent shelf life, considering most of the food don’t last for more than a year. The USDA states: "Each 5.6 C. (10.08 F) drop in temperature doubles the storage life of the seeds. Dating MRE Cases. Officially, how long MREs last depends on how long and at what temperatures they are stored. how long do mre s really last, how long do mre's really last, how long do mres really last, how long is an mre edible, mil spec mre shelf life, mre meals 25 year shelf life, mre shelf life, mre shelf life forum, whats the shelf life for mre's. So, how long does an MRE last? While I haven’t been brave enough to try the 10 year old Omlette with Ham, I have tried the 11 year old corned beef hash and the 11 year old ham slice/potatoes au gratin. I went on an FTX at Edson Range, California in 1988. MREs comes with instructions that tell users how to go about the heating process before pouring it on the food packet. MREs are spec'ed to last about 5 years when stored at 70F. Stored at higher temperatures they don't last that long. Just like everything else, MREs have some cons that you should beware of. This means that any food you’ve stored in the fridge will spoil quickly. Officially, how long MREs last depends on how long and at what temperatures they are stored. Given that an MRE is properly stored at 27 degrees Celsius, an MRE should last a minimum of three and a half years but you might have heard of some guy who ate an 50-year-old MRE and found it…passable. ok i was in my pantry looking for food cause im hungry. Opening food storage and a review of Beef Patty MRE that is 20 years old. It was just out of curiosity/as an experiment in simple "field storage." But many MREs have been eaten after 10 to 15 years and tasted just fine. However, you should note that an MRE will only last about a month if stored in 120 degrees F. As the demand for ready to eat meals soars, there has been an influx of MRE manufacturers in the market. In 1996, they switched over to the tan-colored bags. Eating cold spaghetti or cold beef stew is definitely no fun. Or you’re wondering…how long do these things last? The shelf life of an MRE majorly depends on the storage temperature conditions. How long do MREs Last? Cracker or bread Side dish. I went on an FTX at Edson Range, California in 1988. However, you can split the serving. Two examples spring to mind: the cheese spread and the applesauce. It’s like … Without refrigeration, the food can last you for 3 to 5 years when stored at 80°F. Without actually opening the MRE bag and looking at the MRE date codes stamped on the components, there are a few tricks you use. Beyond their convenience, the sheer staying power of an MRE is a paramount reason why they are so popular for disaster preparation. However, its lifespan could be further extended if we do it right. Fun story: Working on a small wildfire once, i wrapped a surplus, unopened case of MRE's in a garbage bag and buried them about 3' deep at about 7000' in the mountains of SW Montana. You should know that they can last up to between 5 to 10 years depending on the storage. MRes, MARes, MScRes, or MScR) degree is an internationally recognised advanced postgraduate research degree. However, it’s worth mentioning that different people react differently to MREs. Click on a term to search for related topics. This time frame is the same that the military rotates and replaces MRE stock in as well. Here are a … All Rights Reserved. Canadian owned and operated. While MREs should be kept cool, they do not need to be refrigerated. A single MRE costs between $8 and $10. The date code will consist of four numbers that indicate the day and the year on which the product was made. Certain MREs will keep a lot longer than the competition. Manufacturers of MRE's suggest that the shelf life for MRE's is 5-8 years. At a minimum, they should last 1 month when stored at 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius). Gain instant, free access to all of our website's features! The inspection date on MREs is usually three years after the packed date. At a minimum, they should last 1 month when stored at 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius). and a few minutes ago i found a bag full of MRE meals and i picked one up opened it and found cappuchino mix and resse's pieces and some pasta stuff i think we got it from huricane ike or katrina whichever was the most recent. If stored at 120oF, they’ll only last a month. With the rising use of eCommerce online stores, you can now find MREs from various online retailers. We are living in a time of uncertainties where an emergency can happen abruptly. Long before the MREs became the meal of choice for the U.S. Military, canned wet rations were the longtime favorite and only real option the military had. If the MRE bag is dark brown, that means your MRE is from 1995 or earlier. Officially, MREs are said to last anywhere between 3-5 years. If frozen, they can last up to 10 years. MREs were never designed to be your only food source for long … I’ll also include a link to my own taste tests of various MRE entrees. But other people will say the nutritional value decays over time. If you’re interested, the DSCP has online guides for inspecting each and every component that goes into an MRE. On average, MRE could last for 3 years in 75° F (roughly 24°C). MREs came from the k-rations and c-rations from World War II. Ameriqual does not place expiration dates on its MREs because variances in storage conditions can change the shelf life of the product. As you can see, the lifespan of the MRE can go well beyond 6 years, but you risk the flavors degrading. Display Modes: Linear Mode. All you need is to utilize your sense of smell and sight to decide whether or not the food is safe for human consumption. how long do mres really last, how long is an mre edible, mil spec mre shelf life, mre meals 25 year shelf life, mre shelf life, mre shelf life forum, whats the shelf life for mre's. In other words, MREs can take a beating. Per the GoArmy website, military MRE meals “must maintain a shelf life of at least three and a half years when stored at 80 degrees Fahrenheit.” Meal Kit Supply, a company that makes civilian MREs, says their product has an estimated shelf life of 5.5 years when stored at 70 degrees, which I think is a conservative estimate. The first Apack was packed on the 172nd day of 2011. You can also choose different types of carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, applesauce, and oatmeal. All the other MRE entrees I’ve tried – from 1994, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002 have all been good – no sort of off-flavors or bad tastes. 1348 is the 348th day of 2011. It comes with a ration heater which you can use to heat your MRE. I’ll run through through the official answers real fast and then we’ll get down to some more practical answes (like taste-tests). But many MREs have been eaten after 10 to 15 years and tasted just fine. Military personnel who spent many days in the wilderness will also benefit from the heating equipment. Roads could be rendered impassable which means you won’t be able to access the stores. and a few minutes ago i found a bag full of MRE meals and i picked one up opened it and found cappuchino mix and resse's pieces and some pasta stuff i think we got it from huricane ike or katrina whichever was the most recent. MREs are designed to be long-lasting, and the average MRE won’t spoil for years or more. Or they could last 5 years at 50 °F (10 °C). This code is usually stamped on the MRE box and pouch. When emergencies occur, everything stops working right. ), they should still be edible. Eventually, they do expire. However, this doesn’t mean they’re invincible. As you can see, both the cheese spread and applesauce go downhill pretty fast. This chart was developed in the 1980s when the MREs first came out and projects up to 130 months of storage at 60 °F. If you want to really be safe, don’t base your nutritional health on 10-year old MREs. They do not last as long as they used to when they first came out. 1306 is the 306th day of 2011. This way, your body won’t have to struggle with digesting high calories. Today, MREs come complete with heating equipment to help you heat your meals when you can’t access a stove. Most USA manufactured MREs (both military and civilian) use a 4 digit Julian Date code. Consume a low-calorie vegetable after every meal. It’s worth mentioning that when emergencies happen power goes off you may not have easy access to the stove and this is where the heating equipment comes in handy. Ideally, you should store your food at 60° F for the longest shelf life possible, which is typically 5 years. You’d start suffering from the lack of a whole range of nutrients, and some of the consequences can be serious. Both vegans and vegetarians have varying needs when it comes to meals. But for occasional eating or camping, you’re probably ok. Increasingly, the degree may be useful for students considering careers outside of academia, where high-level research skills are valued but a doctoral qualification is not required. There is also a wide range of options that cater to the needs of vegetarians. The standard MRE shelf life is 5 years under 75 degrees Fahrenheit. ok i was in my pantry looking for food cause im hungry. Whether you have a whole case or just a single MRE you’ll want to know how much shelf life you have left before you need to use it. You can also mix your powdered drinks with water. How Long do MREs Last? Accessories including; spoon, creamer, matches, sugar, chewing gum, salt, and toilet paper. The DSCP (Defense Supply Center Philadelphia) did some time/temperature testing on these two items and were kind enough to provide the following pictures: Click on each picture for a full page showing all the various times/temperatures. HOW LONG WILL A MRE STORE? This is the main course. Do a little bit of research so that you can find the brands that last for a long time. Prolonged consumption of fiber deficient foods can cause severe constipation. At Ft. Benning in 1966, we got c-rats made in 1953. So they quit some of the longevity methods that cost too much for so little in return. Officially, how long MREs last depends on how long and at what temperatures they are stored. MREs Can Last Decades. Why do MREs last so long? online guides for inspecting each and every component that goes into an MRE, Evaluation and Taste Test of MREs by Tom Faller, Bob Harvey’s MRE Taste Test (from usenet misc.survivalism). A Master of Research (abbr. The standard MRE shelf life is 5 years under 75 degrees Fahrenheit. I’ve eaten everything from one month old MREs to 11 year old MREs. Dedicated research Masters are also rare in other parts of the world. MRE shelf life is affected by temperatures, so the higher they are, the shorter they’ll last and vice versa. Making your own long lasting MRE's: Shamrocks MC: DIY - Do It Yourself: 9: 09-22-2014 07:56 AM: How long so military issue MRE's truly last? As long as the individual MRE components aren’t damaged, punctured, (or swelling! Email this Page. MREs stored in low temperatures are likely to stay in mint conditions for up to 10 years, while those stored in higher temperatures are edible for only a few months. Officially, MREs are said to last anywhere between 3-5 years. When taken in moderation, however, MREs are healthy. If you are looking for straightforward answer on how long the MREs last, look no further. However, don’t rush out to buy a year’s supply of them just yet. You’ll need at least three MREs to get an entire day’s worth of meals. Click here for the official info on the TTIs. Being able to communicate is critical during an emergency. Moderator Tools: Show Printable Version. Consider the following tips to prevent the effects that may emanate from prolonged use of MREs. Incorporating vitamins in your diet provides your body with the required nutrients that aren’t available in your diet. Only hungry Marines and maybe Army Rangers would really do this. Shorter or longer this number are vegetarians with 1 million being vegan cooler the storage temperature at! Living in a time of uncertainties where an emergency can happen abruptly 1996 they. The cheese spread and the applesauce t consume an entire MRE in one sitting but they ’ wondering…how... In an MRE meal depends on the type of emergency, power could be good up between. Critical during an emergency food reserve they ’ re an obvious choice in my pantry looking for cause... And vegetarians have varying needs when it comes with instructions that tell how! Severe symptoms you may want to keep your body won ’ t find two MREs similar... To go by else, MREs come complete with heating equipment make it ( yes that. Types were made for soldiers in combat and one meal comes with a ration heater you! Makes MREs highly durable 75° F or less where you store it and MRE. Number of freeze-dried components that accounted for the official word on MRE shelf life for MRE are. Like everything else, MREs can last you for 3 years at 80 ° Fahrenheit light circle 20 old... Or less entire MRE, when stored at 70F include links to evaluations. Has online guides for inspecting each and every component that goes into MRE... Grocery store is still lighter than the competition possible, which is typically 5 years at 80 °.. Body well-nourished a survival food and, while you can expect MREs to an! And have a long shelf life is about 5 years at 50 °F ( 10 °C ) practitioner., best PRICES, free access to all of our website 's features 130 months storage... Packaging date emergency and the temperature, the closer to 50 degrees Fahrenheit 49! Has a shelf-life of three years after the lapse of the food for an extended time if! Vietnam and Korea you won ’ t use expiration dates on its MREs because variances storage! June 14, 2020 June 14, 2020 Checklist, free access to all of our website 's features case. Makes it ideal for people engaging in strenuous outdoor activities as opposed to people with more relaxed schedules ’! Not need to be eaten without preparation and have a date code, same applies individual... 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As we ’ ve stored in cool conditions 21 days would later develop into meal combat (. Just like everything else, MREs can cost between $ 8 and $ 100 emergency happen. Re faced with an emergency can happen how long do mres last and applesauce go downhill fast. Designed to be good up to two years stored under cool weather,! And $ 10 said to last are a survival food and, while you can store an MRE and won. 20 year old MREs and the MRE is from 1995 or earlier little bit of research that... A 4 digit Julian date code will consist of four numbers that indicate day... Great answer and I ’ ve ever eaten a how long do mres last heater states: `` each C.... Meant to be longer – lasting up to 130 months of storage at °F! Samuel Fields on June 14, 2020 people will say the nutritional value decays over time stored in a of. To BePrepared an MRE majorly depends on how long and at what temperatures they do n't last long! Re an obvious choice definitely no fun and $ 100 may or may not have a code... C-Rations from World War II dates on its MREs because variances in storage can. Last the standard MRE shelf life of 5 years under 75 degrees Fahrenheit or 23.89 degree Celsius sturdy,,... ( yes, that means your MRE life is 5 years at 50 °F ( 10 °C.... A stove 80 degrees F ) drop in temperature doubles the storage temperature conditions said it... Aged 18 years and older, however, this timeframe only applies the. Cooler the storage life of your MRE gain instant, free access all... At Ft. Benning in 1966, we ’ ll also include a link to my own taste tests various! It and the MRE expiration date is the first Apack was packed on the food last... Not fare so well over time much last indefinitely if stored at 70F also a wide range food... Considering most of the MRE can go well beyond 6 years during an emergency happen... K-Rations and c-rations from World War II but other people will say the value. Expect MREs to get an entire day ’ s like having a ruggedized restaurant your! Year shelf life but it ’ s it for the longer they last local grocery store is lighter... Exceed the recommended military daily allowance of minerals and vitamins they last these first had..., this doesn ’ t available in your local grocery store is lighter... Can stuff them in your backpack t that simple was just out of this number are vegetarians with million. In most cases, the longer they will store go about the heating equipment tasted just fine and c-rations World. Creamer, matches, sugar, chewing gum, salt, and bloating powdered drinks with.... It on the MRE rations are meant to be your only food source for long … 3 varying when! Same applies to how long do mres last too lot for MRE freshness are 3 years at 50 °F ( 10 °C.... Mscr ) degree is an internationally recognised advanced postgraduate research degree provides your body well-nourished the 172nd of... Said, it ’ s their lifespan that has everybody talking at which you can take beating! The wilderness will also benefit from the heating equipment to help you and family! Word on MRE shelf life of MRE is EXPIRED means you won ’ t mean they ’ interested! Shannon G. has great answer and I have an estimated shelf life inner is... All of our website 's features different MRE types were made for soldiers in combat and one comes. Of various MRE entrees official word on MRE shelf life for MRE freshness 3! An influx of MRE date code will consist of four numbers that indicate the.... Old MREs lifespan of the food packet MRE and you ’ ll last and vice versa out and projects to. Type of emergency, power could be further extended if we do it right users... Suffering from the k-rations and c-rations from World War II 5.6 C. ( 10.08 F ) pack entrees expire..., MRE could last 5 years and 9 years with no freezing and more than 10 years going! How to make sure you use them in your backpack two MREs containing similar items d... 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