MRE Shelf Life Calculator
Date Code on Package
Avg Storage Temp (F°)
Manufacture Date
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Estimated Expiration Date
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Time to Expiration Date
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What's the Shelf Life of Your MRE?
An MRE will store for about 3 to 5 years, if stored at 75° F or less. The colder the temperatures, the longer they will store.Did My MRE Expire?
You typically won't find an expiration date on an MRE. If the seal is broken the food won't last very long. The MREs will begin to lose their taste and nutritional value after long periods of time.
When Was My MRE Manufactured?
MRE Manufacturers use a 4-digit modified Julian Date code to indicate the manufacture date.
This code is usually stamped on the MRE box and pouch. The location of the code can vary. The first digit represents the year, and the last three digits represent the day. So, for example, the code 3123 would indicate it was manufactured on the 123rd day of 2013. Sometimes other letters representing batch numbers will be appended to the date code (i.e. 3123C).
Since the official longevity of an MRE is no longer than 10 years, and the modified date code makes it impossible to determine the decade of manufacture, this calculator assumes that your MREs are not 10 years old or more.