Civilian MRE’s

The Best online firearms community in Louisiana.

Member Benefits:

  • Fewer Ads!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • MOTOR51

    Well-Known Member
    Rating - 100%
    72   0   0
    Dec 23, 2008
    6,342
    113
    here
    Anybody know if these are still good. I have had these stored inside for a while but don’t know if it’s time to trash them.
    c91e4ea246c4c455658652ffe3855b67.jpg

    faaf1fe8aea7c8d5fbd6dd06db0c1b3d.jpg



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
     

    Cheesy Lasagna

    Sooooo Cheesy!
    Staff member
    Moderator
    Rating - 100%
    54   0   0
    Aug 20, 2011
    1,847
    63
    Kennah!
    They were made on 12 September 2012.
    The code starts with 2, so 2012 is the year.
    The last three digits are the exact day of the year they were made and the 256th day of 2012 was 12 September.

    The 9/16 is a suggested inspection date for the lot.

    If they were stored in a climate controlled environment, they should be fine.
    If they were stored in a hot Louisiana shed, they’re likely okay for another year or two but are likely fine also.

    I say open one up and eat it then you’ll know for sure.

    Hope this helps!
     

    thperez1972

    ESSAYONS
    Staff member
    Gold Member
    Rating - 100%
    10   0   0
    Dec 28, 2015
    5,710
    113
    Baton Rouge, LA
    Beware, the inspection stickers are only a rough guide and do not necessarily indicate condition of contents.
    Likely most MRE lots stored in Louisiana will have exposed indicators.

    The dots are a rough guide that measures time and temperature, the two main factors that will affect the condition of the contents. All indicators are exposed as they are on the outside of the box regardless of the state or country the box is stored in. That's where the stickers were designed to go.
     
    Last edited:

    thperez1972

    ESSAYONS
    Staff member
    Gold Member
    Rating - 100%
    10   0   0
    Dec 28, 2015
    5,710
    113
    Baton Rouge, LA
    They were made on 12 September 2012.
    The code starts with 2, so 2012 is the year.
    The last three digits are the exact day of the year they were made and the 256th day of 2012 was 12 September.

    The 9/16 is a suggested inspection date for the lot.

    If they were stored in a climate controlled environment, they should be fine.
    If they were stored in a hot Louisiana shed, they’re likely okay for another year or two but are likely fine also.

    I say open one up and eat it then you’ll know for sure.

    Hope this helps!

    If there's a red dot sticker on the box, look and see if the center is lighter or darker than the ring. The sticker takes into account the factors above and help give a rough guess as to the condition without having to worry about how long and where they are stored. If the center is lighter, you're fine. As the center gets to the color of the ring, you may want to open one up and check it.
     

    thperez1972

    ESSAYONS
    Staff member
    Gold Member
    Rating - 100%
    10   0   0
    Dec 28, 2015
    5,710
    113
    Baton Rouge, LA
    https://www.mreinfo.com/mres/mre-shelf-life/

    By exposed I meant the entire dot would be black and indicate expiration.
    In hot climates thie is not entirely reliable.

    Then the dot is working. MRE's are supposed to have a shorter shelf life in hot climates. Given the choice of agreeing with you and agreeing with the Department of Defense, I'm going to side with the DoD. I suspect they have a bit more experience in this area.
     

    MOTOR51

    Well-Known Member
    Rating - 100%
    72   0   0
    Dec 23, 2008
    6,342
    113
    here
    Thanks. It was stored inside in a closet so sounds like they should be good for a little longer.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
     

    Magdump

    Don’t troll me bro!
    Rating - 100%
    163   0   0
    Dec 31, 2013
    9,396
    113
    Hammond, Louisiana
    Check out the vids of brave people trying questionable MRE’s that are way past the shelf life and still very edible. There are quite a few and very in-depth.
     

    Gravelface

    Well-Known Member
    Rating - 100%
    5   0   0
    Jan 6, 2015
    391
    28
    I-55@I-12
    I regularly eat MREs with 2008 inspection dates. Main meals are perfect. I tend to avoid The applesauce.
    If you have any doubts, I’d gladly take them off your hands
     

    Magpie

    Well-Known Member
    Rating - 100%
    101   0   0
    Aug 1, 2007
    986
    18
    Gonzales
    Also there are things that can be utilized in the packs that are useful. You may want to go through the packs before tossing the whole box.
     

    JBP55

    La. CHP Instructor #409
    Premium Member
    Rating - 100%
    338   0   0
    Apr 15, 2008
    16,999
    113
    Walker
    Also there are things that can be utilized in the packs that are useful. You may want to go through the packs before tossing the whole box.

    The Skittles are probably good long after the date on the box.
     

    340six

    -Global Mod-
    Staff member
    Premium Member
    Rating - 100%
    5   0   0
    Apr 12, 2012
    6,499
    113
    Kenner, La
    I still have MREs from Katrina. I would probably give them the smell test if I was dying of hunger.

    I eat one a few months back from Katrina. I also never got the Corona so maybe it is a cure? There so many things in an MRE to keep it from going bad it kills the Virus.
    I do remember some guy who was in Nam who eats a canned cake when he retired at his party.
    Ya know it was 40 years old if it was in a can.
    Ok here it is kinda cool
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SHohZ2ljC4 Then there is this guy who will try a few things
    Skip to like 18 min I think he eats Peanut Butter from 1957 or fakes it. He sure opens some rank items, real nasty. But is cool to see what was in the package.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkWM6mz_JVo
     
    Last edited:

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    195,218
    Messages
    1,546,023
    Members
    29,168
    Latest member
    Lyle.lejeune2017
    Top Bottom