Rotating stored goods

[volshooter]

Been rotating and came across 5 cases of MRE's with an inspection date of 9/01.
Opened a case, no swelled packs. Red indicator on bottom still shows a huge difference between inner circle and background. Had one for lunch, use them or loose them. Everything was tasty.
I will consume these dated MRE's and replace them with fresher ones. I have read many things about shelf life, a lot of various opinions.
What are your opinions/experiences with them?
Gun show this week end and fresher case prices will be $60, I would go $150 for 3. I got plenty.
I actually like MRE's and C-rations in the day.
Your thoughts?

 

[bnewberry]

1. Storage conditions matter.
2. As long as you inspect and reject anything suspect these probably won't kill you.
3. Nutritional value is probably degraded compared to fresher examples.
4. Probably no worse for you than eating fast food so enjoy and drink lots of water!

 

[gramps]

My ex-sister-law predicted my demise years ago for eating left over chicken, seafood, picking mushrooms from the lawn/forest etc. I bet I outlive her! Eat those suckers in good health. I too think MRE's rock.
gramps

 

[graygun]

I don't recall eating any but we lived on C rations for six weeks in late 1970 after the unit that had a mess hall moved out. I ate some of the items and chucked the others.

I believe I'll buy some MREs soon.

Dine carefully!

 

[SAJohn]

I have eaten C-rations from WWII in the 60's with no problems.

 

[Bob Wright]

Sorry. Something just seems wrong about paying to eat Army chow!


First rule for GI mess hall: Use lots of black pepper. Then you won't worry about the black specks.

Bob Wright

 

[Colonialgirl]

I seem to remember that the Air Force Supply down the road from the commo shop sold us cases of C-Rats from the mid 50's and they were still good (ALL except the Lima Beans and Ham; the only guy that would touch those was from the Tennessee Hills and talked about plowing the back 40 with a mule).
This was in Korea in 1967-68. Of course too we had a 3/4 ton truck with a plaque that said it had been rebuilt in Pusan in 1955 AND a jeep that HAD belonged to the Air Force, Navy and the Marines before it came to us. All of our radios were Obsolete from shortly after the Korean War.

 

[Fox Mike]

Sorry. Something just seems wrong about paying to eat Army chow!


First rule for GI mess hall: Use lots of black pepper. Then you won't worry about the black specks.

Bob Wright

With MREs it was, use the little bottle of Tabasco on EVERYTHING! We won't even talk about the 'tray packs'.

 

[olcop]

"C" Rations were a regular part of our shipboard fare in the late 50's, I think the Navy was phasing them out or it was a normal rotation of the stock, but we seemed to have them about once a month---and, while they weren't "Haute Cusine" they were more than tasty and nourishing----If I were adrift in a lifeboat, I would be glad to have a supply at hand.
olcop

 

[Bud0505]

IMO MREs beat C Rations hands down.

 

[Colonialgirl]

First rule for GI mess hall: Use lots of black pepper. Then you won't worry about the black specks.

Bob Wright

I always found that a lot of Ketchup had a way of making everything taste good, Even the "Mystery Meat"; never DID figure out what THAT was!
:shock: :shock: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :wink:

 

[don44]

I have eaten C-rations from WWII in the 60's with no problems.

So have I.

 

[exavid]

The pound cake in C's was good. The lima beans and ham was bad when new.

 

[Pal Val]

First rule for GI mess hall: Use lots of black pepper. Then you won't worry about the black specks.

Bob Wright

I always found that a lot of Ketchup had a way of making everything taste good, Even the "Mystery Meat"; never DID figure out what THAT was!
:shock: :shock: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :wink:

I worked the QM for 8 years. There's no mystery in "mystery meat". Just look up the meats served the three days prior, all ground together and made into patties.
My favorite: Steak, pork chops, breakfast sausage and bacon. Grind it all together, mix in some chopped stale bread, onion flakes, pepper and dehydrated eggs. Serve all covered with brown gravy from the day before mixed with some dehydrated mushroom flakes. That's the oh-riginal "Salisbury Steak".

No kidding! Val :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[volshooter]

I got to spend most summers in east tn. Dad was career army so 3/4 of my life till 18 was spent on base. Dad, and us, went to Germany 4 times. Every building had shelters in the below ground level. Every one was stocked with water and C-rats. Being kids we were able to gain access to them, mostly for the smokes, but we ate many. Dad was a poacher back then so most of my meals were game or C-rats as I did not like Momma's cooking. I liked them.
There is nothing better to store in your truck or boat than a MRE. Never had a bad one, just some better. Hunting is ideal for MRE's. Hell, I loved eating in the mess hall. Fine rations. SOS is still my favorite. Too many jokes about army cooks and food are common. Try being from a poor ass family where carp and mush were often staples.

For all you cooks that served....I love ya!