Mre how long are they good

Since about , MRE cases have also included something called a TTI time and temperature indicator on the outside of the box to assist inspectors in determining if MREs are still good.

There are two parts to the TTI — an outer dark circle and an inner light circle. As long as the inner circle is still lighter than the outside circle, the MREs are supposed to be good.

Click here for the official info on the TTIs. Practically, the darn things last a long, long, time. 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. Unlike most other food products , MREs do not come with a printed-on expiration date. Since the storage temperature makes the shelf life fluctuate, MREs instead come with a number that indicates the time of manufacture.

It would be simple to figure out when your MRE is usable if the date was in a simple day month year format, but this is not the case. In fact, as you look over your pouch, you may find several different codes and numbers. Instead, you need the four-digit code. The would then apply to the th day of the year, June Likewise, would be December 31, , while would be January 7, Since the average shelf life of an MRE is five years, you need to add five to the manufacturer year to get your approximate expiration date.

One thing to be wary of is that manufacture dates only indicate the last digit of the year. In the above example, an MRE with may instead be from June 19, , or instead of Some MREs come with an indicator of freshness on the package. The symbol changes based on the level of temperatures the MRE package has experienced to serve as an accurate readout. So long as the center circle is a lighter color than the outer ring, everything inside the package should be fresh and ready to eat.

Often, projected expiration dates are earlier than actual food spoilage, and MREs can be no different. The standard of an MRE lasting for an average of five years comes from evaluations based on not only how long the food is still edible for, but also how it tastes over time. The nutritional value will drop, as well. The older an MRE is, the fewer vitamins and other nutritional value you can expect, but an old MRE can still provide calories to survive on if straights are dire.

Most entrees and desserts will hold up quite well over time, though some other portions may not do so well. Some of the more notable foods that deteriorate in older MREs include:. Some MREs may also have an inspection expiration date. Your ration pack could technically be from or Well, you can do the same with your MREs. The inner circle darkens with time and at higher temperatures.

Cheese spreads, peanut butter, and applesauce typically go off faster than packaged meals or candy. You can maximize storage life by purchasing new cases of MREs. Like most food, MREs are best stored in cool, dry temperatures away from direct sunlight. Freezing can damage the laminated pouch, particularly if the contents are thawed and refrozen several times e.