How long are mres good for

MRE manufacturers do not include expiration dates on their products like standard food you might find in a supermarket does.

The military has researched and developed methods for MREs to be held in the worst temperatures without spoiling or degrading over time, so you can rest assured that your case will last a few years before it needs replacing. This means you should keep your food away from heat sources like stoves, ovens, microwaves, fireplaces, and sunny windows. The best way to do this is by storing the case inside another container that will protect it from moisture and help maintain cooler temps.

The meals are known for their compact and self-contained design that can last up to five years without refrigeration or heating before they expire.

Do not leave them in direct sunlight because it will cause degradation of some ingredients such as fats and proteins, which can lead to spoilage after six months on average. Usually, the longer an MRE is in storage and age, the more its taste will worsen, and nutrition levels will drop.

However, some people reported that they could eat MREs that were ten or more sometimes almost twenty years old, and there was no change in taste. The coolant inside them freezes at a shallow temperature and would cause the plastic containers to crack from expansion while in a freezer. A better option is to store your MREs in an airtight container at a cool temperature before you use them. 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.

MREs are a medium-long term emergency food option. If you have limited clean water, then this allows you to prioritize that water for drinking. While some MREs can contain preservatives it is not as common as you would think. Before they're packaged, MREs are also cooked thoroughly to make sure that all the bacteria is killed off. Because of these precautions, the MRE shelf-life is much longer than that of regular food, and it can sit untouched in a pantry or basement for years without spoiling.

Finally, many MREs are loaded with sodium. Salt is a natural disinfectant that kills bacteria by sucking the water out of the cells. If you've ever cured a sore throat by gargling with salt water, it's the same principle.

The amount of salt in MREs keeps the food safe and edible for a much longer amount of time than regular processed foods. MREs might be durable, but they're not untouchable in every situation.

If they're not stored in the right environment , they could be ruined long before their expiration date, giving the user an unpleasant surprise when they finally open the package. MRE owners should take care to store them correctly to extend their shelf-life as long as possible. MREs should be stored at an average of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Some fluctuation is acceptable, but the temperature should never get too hot or too cold. Don't have an account yet? Sign up. I forgot my password. I forgot my account password.

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