MRE Shelf Life? | TheaterFire

There were other substances that were far above, *HOWEVER*, without a control group for comparison we have no idea if they are better, worse, or about the same as, say, the foods you might buy at your local supermarket (especially canned goods).

We're lacking context here. Also, there is the fact that MREs aren't supposed to be eaten as a long term diet. They are provided when Unitized Group Rations (UGRs) are unavailable.

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Spiley_spile@reddit

Thanks so much for this link! I appreciate too that the organization was frank about the error in the original research, corrected it, and had the new results reviewed to ensure they were accurate. And Im glad that their study has prompted a change for future MREs, to make them safer. A good reason to clean out my old stock and stay informed for when they roll out the new, safer batch in 2027.

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WhereDidAllTheSnowGo@reddit

Micro Tabasco never gets old

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dittybopper_05H@reddit

I saw Micro Tabasco open up for Los Lobos back in the 1980's.

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TomorrowUnable5060@reddit

Unrelated

https://www.reddit.com/r/ArtificialInteligence/comments/1ss54xm/

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Preppinainteasy@reddit

Don't eat them, MREs have been linked to gastric issues and veterans are currently fighting with the VA for compensation due to issues caused by MREs. They are finding that most MREs are full go heavy metals as well as veterinary medication.

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Azzarc@reddit

You might want post some links if you are going make these claims.

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WeAreHereThenGone@reddit

Agreed, claims without backing is at most a "noted" comment to look into and not an "oh no!"

Do I know MREs will make you shit a brick witthout fiber? yup

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Preppinainteasy@reddit

https://wjla.com/features/i-team/exclusive-tests-find-toxins-severe-nutrient-gaps-in-food-served-to-us-troops-mre-military-soldiers-marines-navy-army-air-force-mess

https://sustainablepulse.com/2026/02/05/us-military-is-eating-contaminated-food-with-glyphosate-pesticides-veterinary-drugs-and-heavy-metals/#:~:text=Independent%20laboratory%20testing%20commissioned%20by%20Moms%20Across,that%20pose%20serious%20threats%20to%20human%20health.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thehill.com/homenews/5736126-pesticide-contaminants-military-health-risks/amp/

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preppers-ModTeam@reddit

All three articles you linked are reprints of the same news story. The claim itself is highly sensational, making it difficult to believe and impossible to independently verify.

Please note that in any sufficiently large sample, trace amounts of many chemicals can be detected. Given how small atoms are, it is statistically likely that at least minimal traces of numerous substances exist in almost any sample. This alone is not meaningful or newsworthy. For a claim to be verifiable and relevant, the specific quantity of the chemical must be clearly stated.

The article you cited also references a previous investigation by the same group, which reportedly found over 50 different pesticides in school lunches. For your information, using such findings to broadly discourage people from eating school lunches will result in deletion of your comments.

If you continue to promote similar claims without verifiable data, your posts may be removed. Repeated violations could lead to further action, including a ban.

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preppers-ModTeam@reddit

Your submission has been removed because it contains unverifiable claims and conspiracy theories.

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Dathcha-the-Impaler@reddit

Try one and see what's up - post your experience back in here : )

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MyDailyMistake@reddit

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TheSensiblePrepper@reddit

As others have said, they are likely safe but not very tasty.

My Father served in the Navy in 80s and 90s. Told me horror stories about the MREs back then. If you have the Pork Chop, throw it out because my father said he wouldn't even feed that to a dog. The Enchilada was good though.

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Fit_Acanthisitta_475@reddit

People on YouTube ate older ones.

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Hurts-Dont-It-@reddit

YouTube steve1998mreinfo

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TheDev1ce@reddit

As everyone else has said, they're probably safe but gross. I haven't seen anyone mention that they have most likely absorbed every bit of plastic from the packaging over that time, especially if they have ever gotten hot. Which will add to the off taste at best, and just give you cancer at worst.

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Eredani@reddit

Me personally, I would pitch them and buy a fresh case.

We found some old MREs when I was in Saudi and opened them up... all of the M&M candies were the same color Grey. Not recommended.

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Azzarc@reddit

https://www.mreinfo.com/mres/mre-shelf-life/

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JRHLowdown3@reddit

Here are some real world results of MREs and other long term storage foods stored in HIGH HEAT and high HUMIDITY in S. GA over 30+ years

https://survivalandpreparednessforum.net/forum/the-basics/116013-some-more-long-term-food-storage-results-and-some-new-mre-choices

Oldest MREs we currently have are some Cocoa powder packets circa 1992 and 93. All have been fine. Back then cases of 300 packets were about $10. so yeah I still have a "fair quantity" of them ;)

There may be some components to salvage in those old 80's one, I would look for the FREEZE DRIED components some of the 80's era MREs had- like the pork patty (which was very good and I don't like pork) and some of the dehydrated/freeze dried products that were packed for MREs back then. They later ditched those cause soldiers weren't drinking enough water in the field as it was- then eating dehydrated or freeze dried product like that which further sucked the water out of the body. This is why you mainly see retort pouch wet packed foods any more in MREs. If you find components like the freeze dried pears, pork patties, etc. they will be worth saving. Lived off of FD pork patties and FD pears for a week in the desert one time and yes I definitely wasn't as hydrated as I should have been..

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TheRealBunkerJohn@reddit

Safe, yes. They're like canned food.

But just because they're biologically safe doesn't mean they might not smell and taste vile. It really depends on the storage conditions. Steve1989 has eaten ones that are easily 40 years old but were stored in a fridge/freezer, and were fantastic. But stored in a hot garage? Probably not so much.

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Optimal_Law_4254@reddit (OP)

Mine were mostly stored in a cool basement.

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TheRealBunkerJohn@reddit

I'd give one a test in that case! Then could give a clue about the remaining ones.

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Zancie@reddit

Let's get this out onto a tray.

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TheRealBunkerJohn@reddit

Sounds like a "nice" idea!

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craigcraig420@reddit

Open and eat one and post it to r/steve1989mreinfo

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Optimal_Law_4254@reddit (OP)

Just to clarify. These are close to 40 years old. I thought shelf life topped out at 20 years?

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JuanT1967@reddit

Shelf life and usable life are different things. If stored in a cool dry place they have almost indefinite life. I would suggest looking closely at each package for signs of deformation/damage, open one and smell of it. If it isnt repulsive then take a small taste, if they don’t taste bad then consume. 40yo MRE’s are better than nothing if SHTF and you are hungry

I kept a dark brown ealy issue pack under the seat of my truck for years. When we were building our house I forgot to bring a sandwich so I pulled out the MRE and it was still good. This after being stored for years in a truck exposed to the elements daily

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beerdrinkingraccoon@reddit

They are still edible, but the quality may be degraded so badly that they are disgusting. That all depends on what temperature they were stored at. The cooler the temperature, the longer the quality is preserved. MRE's don't have an expiration date, just an inspection date.