Shelf Life of MRE-type Food Products

SOPAKCO Packaging uses an estimated shelf life figure of "5 years, plus or minus" for its MRE-type pouched food products. Actual shelf life may vary from this estimate. A key factor effecting actual shelf life is the temperature of the storage environment. Storage at temperatures in excess of 85F may shorten the shelf life of MRE-type food products. Conversely, lowering the temperature of the storage environment has the positive effect of extending the products' shelf life. This effect is common to most processed food products. MRE-type food products, however, use packaging materials designed to provide the best possible shelf life  for a lightweight, flexible package.

NATIC Research Laboratories' Shelf Life Studies

The shelf life figures given below for MRE's are based on studies conducted by the U.S. Army's NATIC Research Laboratories. This study was conducted by NATIC without participation of the MRE manufacturers. As such, SOPAKCO Packaging cannot verify the test procedures used by the NATIC labs, nor do we adopt these shelf life figures as a guarantee of any sort. The data is useful, though, as a general indication of the effects of storage temperatures on the shelf life of MRE-type food products.

The above storage data and time periods were based on "acceptable taste" measures, which is a subjective standard that may vary among each individual queried. Test participants were asked to indicate which products they were presented would be rated to sill be of "acceptable taste". Responses were noted, and average values were calculated to yield the data above.

The above data does not indicate the maximum useful life of MRE food products. The NATIC study noted that nutritional value and product safety value of the products often extended far beyond these time points.

Again, SOPAKCO Packaging in no way adopts the NATIC shelf life figures as any form of express or implied guarantee of the actual shelf life of its MRE food products.   This information is provided as a general indication of the effects of storage temperature on MRE-type packaged foods.

*The Main Entrees used in our MRE meal cases change frequently. The 6 menu types in your case (2 each of 6 menu types) may vary in whole or in part from the items listed above. Our range of Main Entree types include Beef with Mushrooms, Chicken with Cavatelli, Pork with Rice in BBQ, Chili with Macaroni, Jamaican Pork Chop, Beef Stew, Western Beans, Pasta with Vegetables, Cheese Tortellini, Red Beans with Rice, Minestone, Tuna with Noodles, Corned Beef Hash or other.