I have some civvie packaged MREs that I bought about five years ago and have no idea if they are still good. Here is the code on one of them:

Beef Chili P04BC EST. #6211
9176A 1044 07 0684

There must be an expiration date in there somewhere, does anybody know how to translate it?

Thanks.

ETA: They were stored in a plastic bin in my basement (cool & dry).

Here you go...

MRE Date Coding



MREs are date coded with a series of numbers and letters. The numbers and letters detail the year, production date, and lot number. Review the package for a series of numbers and letters that resembles "5055A D12A".  The "5" stands for the last digit of the year (2005).  The "055" represents the 55th day of the year or February 24th.  The "D12A" details the lot number.



If the package is not labeled with this series of numbers and letters, contact your MRE supplier and request a date of manufacture.

BJ

Edit - go here Link

Most MREs are good for 5-7 years, depending on storage conditions.

If you store your MREs at 70F, you only have 5 years. (about)

Warmer temps lower the shelf life.

Cooler temps will extend it greatly.

Storing them at 40F will extend their useful life to out beyond 15 years w/o much concern.

55F-60F is "recommended" for basement storage by the guy I buy mine through and they should be good for 10years.

Our basement is almost always cool. I'm going to guess in the vicinity of 60-65, certainly never above 75. In the middle of summer it's like there's A/C on down there.

Maybe these things are still good.

Good info.