Ate an older MRE today

Discussion in 'General Survival and Preparedness' started by melbo, Sep 4, 2005.


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  1. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    Was cleaning and organizing my (pile) POS... Too much stuff and nowhere to properly store it. Need...BO...land....

    So I find 2 MREs stuffed inside some ECWS mittens, (the ones with the fur on the outside), stuffed inside an old Swiss ALpine leather backpackstuufed in a duffle of moldy smelling OD canvas. ALl of this was under the tarp uf the BO canoe that hangs under the rear deck...

    Date code '92. I tried the Chicken with Salsa, (#7 or 9) i think.

    Was as fresh and tasty as an MRE can be. The shotrbread cookies tasted fresh and the Cracker, well, it was an MRE cracker.

    So this was 13 yrs old and not stored with any care like my other cases. Not bad at all. It seems like I've heard of guys trying some 'Nam era MREs with similar results. How old is too old?

    On that same subject, What's the longevity of Canned vegetables that are stored in a cool dark place? Lipton Rice packs? I've recently stocked up on Tobasco too... Not sure if they are affected by Kat but I thought it might be a wise buy.

    I've labeled all of my canned good purchases with the month and date of purchase on the lid. I bet the stuff will keep for at least 5 yrs, maybe longer. I'm not really concerned with the "best if used by" date as that is a customer service disclaimer. I'm not going to be looking for Peach slice warranty post SHTF.

    Maybe I'll call some of the companies and see what they say.

    thoughts?
     
  2. E.L.

    E.L. Moderator of Lead Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Now you are in my territory. I have a friend that is the IIC at one of the biggest Campbell Soup plants. I should be able to find this out.
     
  3. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    Very cool. I'm looking for the "stored, under the house, dry and dark and cool, life before it starts to putrify in the can..."

    And can anything be done to help it out even more. I talked with phishi today about Pasta. Most of it comes in boxes and I think moisture would quickly get inside. But, I have a vaccum sealer. This could help certain stuff last longer.

    Canned meat, Tuna, Veg, Fruit... any downsides or plus' to any of these for long term?

    You da man EL
     
  4. E.L.

    E.L. Moderator of Lead Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    I will have to dig through some stuff from a Miss. St. course I took that heavily emphasized thermal processing. The thermal processing they put food through pretty much kills everything. Give me a couple of days though, I will find out what I can.
     
  5. monkeyman

    monkeyman Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    I think as long as the cans are undamaged, includeing protecting them from moisture/rust, that the vegies at least are good for at least 20 years or so and same for the soups, wouldnt trust tuna past a few years though. I know I got some canned goods from my mom when she was cleaning her pantre that had date from when I was a kid and they were fine for the vast majority. The main thing is watch for any cans that are bulging, THROW THOSE OUT, as those are toxic but if it isnt bulging and dont hiss like you were opening a can of soda when you open it then I usualy just make sure it dosnt smell bad and eat it and have eaten canned goods over 20 years old with no ill effects.
     
  6. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    thanks monkeyman. I also think that newer can linings are more than the coatings they used to be. Almost like a rubber film like used to be under the bottle caps of Glass Coke bottles. I'd say that a little rust on the outside might still be fine.

    I'm really interested in the cans that come from the Tuna Isle, other canned meats there as well, like chili and soups...

    I'm trying to make my new quest of canned Grocery food interesting
     
  7. E.L.

    E.L. Moderator of Lead Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    Bulging cans should be discarded. If something smells funny or taste odd then throw it out. However, a lot of microbial pathogens will not affect the taste or smell of a food product. Some won't even be killed by extreme heat or cold. Plants these day have to identify the hazards associated with their products during all phases of production and prevent them from contamination/adulteration. I will do a little research and see if I can come up with some good supporting documentation regarding canning of food products. Give me a couple of days though, with the holiday weekend lots will be gone until Tue.

    Not me though............. :cry:
     
  8. Minuteman

    Minuteman Chaplain Moderator Founding Member

    I just recently went through my food stocks.I have a lot of pre Y2K foods left.As to the MREs.The manufacturer stated 5-7 year shelf life.But I have opened many that were over ten and the only ones I found questionable were the pork products.I kept all the beef & chicken ones and fed the pork to the dogs.

    On canned goods I have a chart for shelf life at home.But as I remember high acidic content ie;any tomato products were the least.The only problem with most canned goods is not spoiling but loss of nutritional value.It decreases over time but after about 2 years you just have filler and no real nutrition.But still safe to eat.
    The rule of thumb,if the can is swollen at all discard it.I ate stored canned goods for over 3 years post Y2K.
     
  9. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    Interestingn the nutritional loss, so the vitamins/minerals actually must break apart. I didn't realized this but then again, Vitamins are not necessarily "Elements" so it's logical. Then again, some are.

    I have stocked heavy on Generic 'one a day' multivitamins for times when the belly full of filler is all tht is available. My wife is the natural remedy and natural food stuff person and has a whole pharmacopia of supplements and other potions, elixirs and stuff.
     
  10. BigUglyOne

    BigUglyOne Monkey+++ Founding Member

    This might be a good resource for ya.

    L D S
     
  11. melbo

    melbo Hunter Gatherer Administrator Founding Member

    nice link BigUglyOne!
     
  12. BigUglyOne

    BigUglyOne Monkey+++ Founding Member

    Thanx !

    Those folks sure know how to store stuff [beer]
     
  13. Quigley_Sharps

    Quigley_Sharps The Badministrator Administrator Founding Member

    Yeah thanks! [beer]
     
  14. CRC

    CRC Survivor of Tidal Waves | RIP 7-24-2015 Moderator Emeritus Founding Member


    I actually get a lot of information from The Church of Latter Day Saints..

    Very good information if you dig deep enough..They know a lot about being self sustaining and or sustainABILITY .....I read their sites a lot.

    Them..the Amish and the Mennonites are sources I use frequently and have built a sort of friendship with a couple of folks that are always willing to answer my questions...

    Nice people..and very willing to help.
     
  15. RightHand

    RightHand Been There, Done That RIP 4/15/21 Moderator Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    How??? Are they local to you?
     
  16. CRC

    CRC Survivor of Tidal Waves | RIP 7-24-2015 Moderator Emeritus Founding Member


    No..I did some research on the internet after meeting 2 (former) Amish that visited here....we kept up a correspondence via email and eventually a lot of things came out....that we talk about.They may left the community ...but took their knowledge and skills with them...

    My friend Myra..is a Jehovah's Witness..and she travels constantly..in this country and other countries...I have met people from all walks of life thru her ; and also my years in and around the Real Estate business.....

    The only thing local here are Baptists, Methodists and Episcopalians... ;)

    But there are a LOT of Latter Day Saints here..and a couple of them told me about a site they use called the gentle survivalist.....and all the resources they have..

    I have never had any problems talking to people...eventually we get around to sharing ideas and thoughts...and concepts...etc.......
     
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