Shelf
Life of MRE-type Food Products
Meals Ready to Eat
SOPAKCO Packaging uses an estimated shelf life
figure of "5 years, plus or minus" for its MRE-type pouched food
products (Meals Ready to Eat). 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 (Meals Ready to Eat). 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 (Meals Ready to Eat), 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 (Meals Ready to Eat).
| Temperature (Fahrenheit): |
100 |
90 |
85 |
80 |
75 |
70 |
60 |
| Storage Life in Months |
22 |
55 |
60 |
76 |
88 |
100 |
130+ |
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.
SOPAKCO MRE's
M-PACKED II -- 12 Meal Case
12 Meals per case: 12 Mains / 6 Sides |
| 12 MRE-type MEAL PACKS
PER CASE - 2 each of 6 menus. 12 Main Entrees, 6 Side dishes, 12 desserts (pound cake,
cookie bar or other, 12 spreads, 6 coffees, 6 beverage powders, plus other accessory
items. |
| MRE Menu 1 Chicken Breast, Grilled*
- Wet pack fruit side dish
- Dessert: Pound cake or other
- Cracker Pack
- Jelly Spread
- Condiment Pack A (w/coffee)
|
MRE Menu 2 Beef Frankfurters*
- Wet pack fruit side dish
- Dessert: Pound cake or other
- Cracker Pack
- Jelly Spread
- Condiment Pack A (w/coffee)
|
MRE Menu 3 Red Beans with Rice*
- Wet pack fruit side dish
- Dessert: Pound cake or other
- Cracker Pack
- Jelly Spread
- Condiment Pack A (w/coffee)
|
| MRE Menu 4 Pasta with Vegetables*
- Dessert: Pound cake or other
- Beverage powder
- Cracker Pack
- Jelly Spread
- Condiment Pack B
|
MRE Menu 5 Pork with Rice (in BBQ)*
- Dessert: Pound cake or other
- Beverage powder
- Cracker Pack
- Jelly Spread
- Condiment Pack B
|
MRE Menu 6 Beef with Mushrooms*
- Dessert: Pound cake or other
- Beverage powder
- Cracker Pack
- Jelly Spread
- Condiment Pack B
|
*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.
There is no minimum order on this item nor does it's price apply to our minimum order. |
