MRE's--long term food packs

[gypsyman]

Had a few MRE's in the past, never bought enough to set up a long term supply. Now I hear a company advertising on radio, and checked out their web site. Just wondering if any of you have tried any of the ''civilian'' version of MRE's.  gypsyman

[kynardsj]

I bought a couple of cases off of Ebay from a company in California. Good price and they ain't bad at all. It isn't Mama's cooking but for what you need them for they're pretty good.

[Couger]

There may be a half dozen or more companies that make and package "MRE's" - some of which are indeed gubmn't contract MRE's bought be FEMA and the military, and some are copies or wannabees.

At my house we've bought from Long Life Storage Depot (google this name), but not complete meals.  We bought entre's - like turkey, gravy and potatos, beef stew, pork chops with sauce, etc.  We also bought some green bean portions (individually packaged), but also some peas and peach slices in syrup.  We got some of the 5in square MRE crackers from them too.

My point is that one needs to do some research and studying of what's available from company "A" or "B" or so forth, decide what you want and can afford and go from there.  I've bought several cases of MRE's in the past, and much too often you cannot tell how old ior fresh they are, or how well they were stored (in safe monitored temperatures for example, or in surroundings that maybe get really hot in the summer, etc.

But I'm posting this after having known of a vendor at our WA state gun shows who was busted for selling "hot" items soldiers at Ft Lewis were selling to him, to sell at the gun shows.  His MRE's were fresh enough, but now he's a convist whether he's still in prison or not.  So be aware and BEWARE!

Plus knowledgeable folks know there's a moritorium on  buying "gubmnt'l" MRE's like my "friend" found out.  Hence my reasoning for researching the internet for companies who make MRE's and supplies, and then buying direct from them.  Most of these companies are willing to where it's perfectly legal to deal direxctly with the public.

However there's also freeze-dried entre's that campers buy that can be stored and used like MRE's - just adding water.  Mountain House and Provident Pantry are two such companies

Also if you're not familiar with them,  the Mormon church is famous for advocating self-sufficiency and food storage, if you wanted to research them too and possibly find any ideas or information.

[Victor3]

 Might also want to find out which ones taste good.

 A few years ago I saw a backpacking website where a guy rated several of them. Some of his reviews were comical ("toss this one in the stream and scoop up the dead fish for dinner instead" etc.).

[teddy12b]

I buy MRE's every once in a while just because.  This website http://beprepared.com/quickshoplist.asp_Q_c_E_100_A_name_E_MRE%20(Meals%20Ready%20to%20Eat) has a great selection that you can pick and choose from.  The website I listed has everything except the MRE crackers.

[Siskiyou]

This notice went out to wildland fire fighters who are issued MRE.



DO NOT CONSUME MRE Dairy Shake Powder

The Food and Drug Administration has determined a Minnesota dairy cooperative may have shipped nonfat dry milk (NFDM), fruit stabilizers, whey protein, and gum products potentially adulterated with Salmonella sp. to their commercial customers between June 2007 and June 2009.  NFDM from this cooperative is known to be an ingredient used by manufacturers in the production of MRE and UGR-E Dairyshake Powder, Fortified with Calcium and Vitamin D.

Facts:
Three manufacturers provide the MREs that we have through the National Interagency Caches, procured through the General Services Administration
•   Ameriqual Packaging
•   SOPAKO Packaging
•   The Wornick Company

Ameriqual MREs that were manufactured on or after April 25, 2008 are GOOD
SOPAKO MREs that were manufactured on or after March 28, 2008 are GOOD

Unknown at this time:
The extent of the Lot Numbers from the manufacturers that may be impacted is still unknown.  The Defense Logistics Agency is working toward identifying all potential lot numbers and will post this information to a web site in the near future.

Immediate Action Individuals:
Other than the MREs specifically identified above DO NOT CONSUME the Dairyshake Powder found in some of the MREs.  Open the Dairyshake Package and dump the contents into the trash.  The rest of the MRE is safe to consume.

Do not open MREs in mass and remove the Dairyshake Powder as this can compromise the shelf life of the remaining items.
 
Immediate Action National Interagency Caches:
Determine current inventory that is clearly good based on the above MRE dates.  Place a sticker on the MREs that include the Dairyshake Powder that should not be consumed stating such.  Place a different sticker on the MREs that contain Dairyshake powder that is safe to consume, to alleviate any potential confusion.

The General Services Administration is working through their inventory and determining their stocking of safe-to-consume versus unsafe and will attach a sticker when shipping that they are safe to consume.  They will not release any inventory that is not safe.

Upon receipt of additional information concerning specific Lot Numbers by manufacturer the National Interagency Caches will reassess their current inventory to determine if additional MREs are indeed safe concerning the consumption of the Dairyshake Powder.  This information will be promptly communicated to the field.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weak immune systems. Healthy people infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Most healthy people recover from Salmonella infections without treatment. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses, such as arterial infections (infected aneurysms), infection of the lining of the heart, and arthritis.


I do not know if the following was confirmed, but be aware.

1.   MRE Menu #22 (Jambalaya) seems to have contained contained glass ...
MRE Menu #22 (Jambalaya) seems to have contained contained glass

[prairiedog555]

I still have a couple of cases of them from Hurricane Katrina.  I like them, but they are for high calorie needs and really fill you up.
I wonder how long they will last?  any body know

[Bigeasy]

They say 10 years when stored under ideal conditions - no direct sun light or high heat.  As few as a couple years or less under bad conditions, like un-cooled, in the desert.  I have a stack of cases from the original Gulf dust up I should get rid of.  I'm not that brave...lol

Larry

[teamnelson]

They are also designed as a days worth of calories fat & protein for a 20 year old metabolism operating at high output under a heavy load. Long term use is most definitely not ideal and everybody gains weight. Also requires alot of water to be consumed as part of the dietary plan they were designed for. I've been on the extreme cold weather version (2x calories) for 45 days once and lost 20 lbs but dragging a sled in snowshoes in the Sierra nevadas will do that. Holing up in high ground waiting for normalcy I'd stretch 'em for at least 2 days per MRE. And avoid the oatmeal cookie ... Doesn't matter which end you put it in it'll have the same effect ... Drink lots of water.

[don heath]

In 1994 the US embassy in Harare bought in several hundred tonnes of MRE's just in case the situation in south Africa with the transition to black rule went tits up. The elections passed peacefully and they were then left with a bunch of 40' containers full of MRE's.... Most of them were left overs from the first gulf war...After they had expired they were given to Zim parks...I finished the last ones about 2004 - at least 15 years after they were packaged. A few of the items had gone a bit funny but all the entrè's were edible enough. I have made an effort ever since then to buy a few when I am in the USA to keep in my hunting truck for those occasions when you don't get back to camp for one reason or another.

They go down like a home sick mole when when you are having an unintended night out and I have never had a client complain about the dinner

I have never tried the civilian ones but the military ones keep just fine in 100º heat

[mauser98us]

I have some 40 year old c rats that are good.. Condition not the flavor  lol

[teamnelson]

chicken and gravy c rats ... yummy!