Near-death experiments in food

[NapalmMan67]

So in line with this thread I was bored and hungry while sitting on a locomotive with nothing to do a few days ago so I went digging through the cavernous depths of my lunch box and found a can of "Sardines in Mustard Sauce" that expired in April of 2021. Being the curious sort and hungry, I cracked the can open and took a cautious sniff. It passed the smell smell and cautious taste test, so I cracked it open and ate it with some Ritz crackers. Tasted great and 2 days later I still here with no issues from the sardines expired 9 months ago...

I don't see an "expiration" date, only a "best by".  I've eaten sardines (amongst other things) well past the best by dates also.  Best by usually indicates the quality/nutritional value have degraded is all, not necesarily a spoiled factor.  At least that's what I think I remember reading before.

I haven't been able to find any King Oscar in tomato sauce for almost two years now.  I'm kind of bummed.


.

[NapalmMan67]

Mmmmm...

[Moab]

How long past date can you eat mre entrees? The ines in my bobs are past by several months. Was gonna replace them with something with a longer life.

[NapalmMan67]

Never have stocked or eaten MREs.  I have eaten some 15+ year old Freeze Dried offerings that were ok, albeit a lot saltier than I remember.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wHS2bwg-aw

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

How long past date can you eat mre entrees? The ines in my bobs are past by several months. Was gonna replace them with something with a longer life.

I've eaten MREs that were a year or three passed their supposed expiration dates and aside from some heartburn from certain entrees (usually anything with tomato sauce), I didn't have any I'll effects.

There's a dude on YouTube named Steve that's eaten rations from like before WW1 and he seems ok. He's had a couple bad rations, but those have been ones from the modern era. It's kind of odd that the dude can chow down on 100+ year old canned food with no problem, but an MRE from just a few years ago lands him in the ER.

I think he said a current production (well, current as in 2015 or so) Chinese military ration had him in the ER one time with some pretty bad food poisoning.

[MacWa77ace]

How long past date can you eat mre entrees? The ines in my bobs are past by several months. Was gonna replace them with something with a longer life.

this guy has eaten civil war MRE's, Steve1989MREInfo, if you really like watching near death food experiences. It depends on how the packaging held up.

Yeah, Nice!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2I6Et1JkidnnbWgJFiMeHA

[Moab]

How long past date can you eat mre entrees? The ines in my bobs are past by several months. Was gonna replace them with something with a longer life.

this guy has eaten civil war MRE's, Steve1989MREInfo, if you really like watching near death food experiences. It depends on how the packaging held up.

Yeah, Nice!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2I6Et1JkidnnbWgJFiMeHA

Ya. I follow that guy too. Not sure he is the source for what mre's you can eat based on date. Lol! He eats anything. An expired chinese mre?!!!! Come on! Lmao! I dont think i would touch an expired chinese mre. Let alone eat one. But the stuff he finds is very very interesting. And its cool to find out what soldiers were eating over history.


I only have a half dozen or so mres that are expired. I think im going to find longer lasting food items fory bobs. Im kind of tired of just lesving stuff in those packs to expire.


Anyone ever eat Hormel Compleats? I know Hormel isnt the greatest. And these wouldnt be for ling term.



https://imgur.com/a/SIv9HJo

[EBuff75]

How long past date can you eat mre entrees? The ines in my bobs are past by several months. Was gonna replace them with something with a longer life.

this guy has eaten civil war MRE's, Steve1989MREInfo, if you really like watching near death food experiences. It depends on how the packaging held up.

Yeah, Nice!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2I6Et1JkidnnbWgJFiMeHA

Ya. I follow that guy too. Not sure he is the source for what mre's you can eat based on date. Lol! He eats anything. An expired chinese mre?!!!! Come on! Lmao! I dont think i would touch an expired chinese mre. Let alone eat one. But the stuff he finds is very very interesting. And its cool to find out what soldiers were eating over history.


I only have a half dozen or so mres that are expired. I think im going to find longer lasting food items fory bobs. Im kind of tired of just lesving stuff in those packs to expire.


Anyone ever eat Hormel Compleats? I know Hormel isnt the greatest. And these wouldnt be for ling term.



https://imgur.com/a/SIv9HJo

I've got a bunch of those Compleats here.  They're great as a sort of poor-man's-MRE.  No refrigeration needed and you don't even have to heat them up, since they're pre-cooked.  I usually have some in my car or at my desk (back when I was going into the office).  My favorite is the chicken breast and mashed potatoes, which can be a bit hard to find around here.  I actually ordered a couple of "cases" (6-count) off of Amazon recently, since I hadn't been able to get them in stores.

[Moab]

How long past date can you eat mre entrees? The ines in my bobs are past by several months. Was gonna replace them with something with a longer life.

this guy has eaten civil war MRE's, Steve1989MREInfo, if you really like watching near death food experiences. It depends on how the packaging held up.

Yeah, Nice!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2I6Et1JkidnnbWgJFiMeHA

Ya. I follow that guy too. Not sure he is the source for what mre's you can eat based on date. Lol! He eats anything. An expired chinese mre?!!!! Come on! Lmao! I dont think i would touch an expired chinese mre. Let alone eat one. But the stuff he finds is very very interesting. And its cool to find out what soldiers were eating over history.


I only have a half dozen or so mres that are expired. I think im going to find longer lasting food items fory bobs. Im kind of tired of just lesving stuff in those packs to expire.


Anyone ever eat Hormel Compleats? I know Hormel isnt the greatest. And these wouldnt be for ling term.



https://imgur.com/a/SIv9HJo

I've got a bunch of those Compleats here.  They're great as a sort of poor-man's-MRE.  No refrigeration needed and you don't even have to heat them up, since they're pre-cooked.  I usually have some in my car or at my desk (back when I was going into the office).  My favorite is the chicken breast and mashed potatoes, which can be a bit hard to find around here.  I actually ordered a couple of "cases" (6-count) off of Amazon recently, since I hadn't been able to get them in stores.

Ill check them out then. I don't recall the expiration dates tho.

[NapalmMan67]

Hormel Compleats...  Holy sodium Batman.

I saw somewhere they are supposed to be shelf stable for 18 months, when stored in a cool dry location.

[Moab]

Hormel Compleats...  Holy sodium Batman.

I saw somewhere they are supposed to be shelf stable for 18 months, when stored in a cool dry location.

Really? I didnt look. I avoid zatterans for the same reason. I love beans and rice. But their beans and rice is inedible. Just because its so salty.

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

Hormel Compleats...  Holy sodium Batman.

I saw somewhere they are supposed to be shelf stable for 18 months, when stored in a cool dry location.

Really? I didnt look. I avoid zatterans for the same reason. I love beans and rice. But their beans and rice is inedible. Just because its so salty.

I find that if you add more rice, it'll soak up some of the excess salt.

I do that with their gumbo and it's not as salty. It also adds more rice since there's not a whole lot of rice in the box to begin with.

[NT2C]

How long past date can you eat mre entrees? The ines in my bobs are past by several months. Was gonna replace them with something with a longer life.

this guy has eaten civil war MRE's, Steve1989MREInfo, if you really like watching near death food experiences. It depends on how the packaging held up.

Yeah, Nice!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2I6Et1JkidnnbWgJFiMeHA

Ya. I follow that guy too. Not sure he is the source for what mre's you can eat based on date. Lol! He eats anything. An expired chinese mre?!!!! Come on! Lmao! I dont think i would touch an expired chinese mre. Let alone eat one. But the stuff he finds is very very interesting. And its cool to find out what soldiers were eating over history.


I only have a half dozen or so mres that are expired. I think im going to find longer lasting food items fory bobs. Im kind of tired of just lesving stuff in those packs to expire.


Anyone ever eat Hormel Compleats? I know Hormel isnt the greatest. And these wouldnt be for ling term.



https://imgur.com/a/SIv9HJo

The DoD folks who develop the MREs and come up with the menus have stated in the past that they can be safely consumed almost indefinitely, even if poorly stored.  The smell, taste and visual appearance may be bad but they should still provide the same nutrition.  The taste may change but the nutritional benefits won't, so it comes down to your own tolerances for looks/taste/smell.

[NT2C]

Hormel Compleats...  Holy sodium Batman.

I saw somewhere they are supposed to be shelf stable for 18 months, when stored in a cool dry location.

Oh gawd... the taste of those.  I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.  We bought a dozen of those in assorted flavors for my wife to have for lunch at work.  She said she didn't like them so I tried them.  The remaining nine went into the bag of food donated to the local food pantry every year.

[Moab]

Hormel Compleats...  Holy sodium Batman.

I saw somewhere they are supposed to be shelf stable for 18 months, when stored in a cool dry location.

Oh gawd... the taste of those.  I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.  We bought a dozen of those in assorted flavors for my wife to have for lunch at work.  She said she didn't like them so I tried them.  The remaining nine went into the bag of food donated to the local food pantry every year.

I was afraid of that. Someplace on the spectrum with Dinty Moore stew. I tried that again a couple months ago. It literally tastes like dogfood. Except i dont even think my dogs would eat.

But then again they eat cat shit. Aaahhhhgggg! Makes me almost vomit everythime i see that. One of my French Bulldogs would run for the cat box whenever he was let inside. It was so disgusting. If he wasnt running for the couch to piss on your favorite pillow!

[Moab]

How long past date can you eat mre entrees? The ines in my bobs are past by several months. Was gonna replace them with something with a longer life.

this guy has eaten civil war MRE's, Steve1989MREInfo, if you really like watching near death food experiences. It depends on how the packaging held up.

Yeah, Nice!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2I6Et1JkidnnbWgJFiMeHA

Ya. I follow that guy too. Not sure he is the source for what mre's you can eat based on date. Lol! He eats anything. An expired chinese mre?!!!! Come on! Lmao! I dont think i would touch an expired chinese mre. Let alone eat one. But the stuff he finds is very very interesting. And its cool to find out what soldiers were eating over history.


I only have a half dozen or so mres that are expired. I think im going to find longer lasting food items fory bobs. Im kind of tired of just lesving stuff in those packs to expire.


Anyone ever eat Hormel Compleats? I know Hormel isnt the greatest. And these wouldnt be for ling term.



https://imgur.com/a/SIv9HJo

The DoD folks who develop the MREs and come up with the menus have stated in the past that they can be safely consumed almost indefinitely, even if poorly stored.  The smell, taste and visual appearance may be bad but they should still provide the same nutrition.  The taste may change but the nutritional benefits won't, so it comes down to your own tolerances for looks/taste/smell.

That explains the mre eating guy on youtube. Good to know. But i think i will stop. Adding the entrees to our bobs.

[Moab]

This a good review site for backpacking meals. I am on my phone and can't screenshot or copy the excellent chart at the bottom of this page. If aomeone could post it here that would be amazing. It breaks down every manufacturers food by cooktimes, cost, weight, etc etc. The individual reviews discuss additional things like taste. And they rate them by category. Like best cheap one. Best overall. Etc etc.

I have a crapload of mountain house in our bobs. But plan to switch to add Good To Go and/or Backpackers Pantry.

https://www.switchbacktravel.com/best-backpacking-meals

[slipkid42]

Hormel Compleats...  Holy sodium Batman.

I saw somewhere they are supposed to be shelf stable for 18 months, when stored in a cool dry location.

Oh gawd... the taste of those.  I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.  We bought a dozen of those in assorted flavors for my wife to have for lunch at work.  She said she didn't like them so I tried them.  The remaining nine went into the bag of food donated to the local food pantry every year.

I was afraid of that. Someplace on the spectrum with Dinty Moore stew. I tried that again a couple months ago. It literally tastes like dogfood. Except i dont even think my dogs would eat.

But then again they eat cat shit. Aaahhhhgggg! Makes me almost vomit everythime i see that. One of my French Bulldogs would run for the cat box whenever he was let inside. It was so disgusting. If he wasnt running for the couch to piss on your favorite pillow!

I actually like Dinty Moore stew, and I enjoy the completes, I keep a few in my desk at work for the days I'm extra hungry or if we get stuck there.  As for MRE's I've eaten some that were a couple years past date and they were fine. 

[Moab]

Hormel Compleats...  Holy sodium Batman.

I saw somewhere they are supposed to be shelf stable for 18 months, when stored in a cool dry location.

Oh gawd... the taste of those.  I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.  We bought a dozen of those in assorted flavors for my wife to have for lunch at work.  She said she didn't like them so I tried them.  The remaining nine went into the bag of food donated to the local food pantry every year.

I was afraid of that. Someplace on the spectrum with Dinty Moore stew. I tried that again a couple months ago. It literally tastes like dogfood. Except i dont even think my dogs would eat.

But then again they eat cat shit. Aaahhhhgggg! Makes me almost vomit everythime i see that. One of my French Bulldogs would run for the cat box whenever he was let inside. It was so disgusting. If he wasnt running for the couch to piss on your favorite pillow!

I actually like Dinty Moore stew, and I enjoy the completes, I keep a few in my desk at work for the days I'm extra hungry or if we get stuck there.  As for MRE's I've eaten some that were a couple years past date and they were fine. 

I think alot of it depends on what you grew up with too. Like i love canned sardines and smoked clams. Because whenever my dad had them leftover in his lunchbox my sisters and i got to eat them. So it was like a treat. My wife on the other hand just about throws up when i open a can of them. Trader joes has canned smoked trout that is delicious too.

And i love canned chili. Ive been on a canned chili kick for about three weeks. Ive been eating it for lunch and dinner and sometimes even for breakfast. With potato chips. Which i absolutely should not be eating. But it goes in waves. Ill probably not be eating it in another week. And then not touch the stuff for a year. No one elze iny family likes it. But it was another staple in i grew up with. Depends on the brand too. Around here Stags i as the best. Dennisons is the worst.

[slipkid42]

Hormel Compleats...  Holy sodium Batman.

I saw somewhere they are supposed to be shelf stable for 18 months, when stored in a cool dry location.

Oh gawd... the taste of those.  I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.  We bought a dozen of those in assorted flavors for my wife to have for lunch at work.  She said she didn't like them so I tried them.  The remaining nine went into the bag of food donated to the local food pantry every year.

I was afraid of that. Someplace on the spectrum with Dinty Moore stew. I tried that again a couple months ago. It literally tastes like dogfood. Except i dont even think my dogs would eat.

But then again they eat cat shit. Aaahhhhgggg! Makes me almost vomit everythime i see that. One of my French Bulldogs would run for the cat box whenever he was let inside. It was so disgusting. If he wasnt running for the couch to piss on your favorite pillow!

I actually like Dinty Moore stew, and I enjoy the completes, I keep a few in my desk at work for the days I'm extra hungry or if we get stuck there.  As for MRE's I've eaten some that were a couple years past date and they were fine. 

I think alot of it depends on what you grew up with too. Like i love canned sardines and smoked clams. Because whenever my dad had them leftover in his lunchbox my sisters and i got to eat them. So it was like a treat. My wife on the other hand just about throws up when i open a can of them. Trader joes has canned smoked trout that is delicious too.

And i love canned chili. Ive been on a canned chili kick for about three weeks. Ive been eating it for lunch and dinner and sometimes even for breakfast. With potato chips. Which i absolutely should not be eating. But it goes in waves. Ill probably not be eating it in another week. And then not touch the stuff for a year. No one elze iny family likes it. But it was another staple in i grew up with. Depends on the brand too. Around here Stags i as the best. Dennisons is the worst.

I hear that.  Canned salmon was something we had a lot while growing up, but others in my house won't touch the stuff.  Canned sardines, never could eat them, LOL

Canned chili, mmm, I like that better than most peoples home made chili, as that usually means how hot can they make it, and well let's say I'm not a fan of hot.