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From: Mitchell McKinnon <mckinnon_at_iinet.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Old Freeze Dried Food
Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2005 13:00:45 -0700
OK, so much for Coleman Fuel (thanks for all the responses!)

 

Now, what's the oldest freeze dried food you've eaten?  That is to say,
how long do these F.D. meals last?  I've got a whole shopping bag full
of old FD food left from previous adventures.  The oldest date back to
'98, the newer back to '01.  I'm packing up for a trip, and wonder if
these things are perfectly good (big investment sitting here!), or if I
should just go buy fresh (so to speak).

 

I'm sure freeze dried stuff lasts for ever, but does it degrade
noticeably within say 5 or 8 years?  Inquiring minds!

 

Paddling Content: I'm going to take some of this stuff along for
emergency rations on a week long semi-remote paddling trip next week.

 

Mitch McKinnon

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From: Dave Kruger <kdruger_at_pacifier.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Old Freeze Dried Food
Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2005 06:07:57 -0700
"Mitchell McKinnon" <mckinnon_at_iinet.com>

> Now, what's the oldest freeze dried food you've eaten?  That is to say,
> how long do these F.D. meals last?

Mitch,

I have eaten stuff that was two or years old and it tasted fine.  Problem is 
that the packages are easily compromised ... but that is also easy to detect.

--
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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From: <kayakwriter_at_netscape.net>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Old Freeze Dried Food
Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2005 12:53:13 -0400
Bought a huge stockpile of freeze dried stuff for a kayaking expedition in 1993. Trip wound up getting cut short due to late season ice, polar bear attack, and other nusiances. Gave a lot of it away to food banks, but kept some to use on shorter trips (my Scottish nature). Still using the last of it today, mostly as side dishes or emergency rations for unplanned weather bound days. (I've stored it carefully, and discard any where the packaging's come unsealed or been punctured.) The FD makers will tell you the stuff won't be as nutrious or flavourful after five years or so. Scurvy isn't much of a risk on my shorter trips, and I nearly always punch up FD food with Tabasco or similiar, so no problem. YMMV.

Philip

"Mitchell McKinnon" <mckinnon_at_iinet.com> wrote:
>Now, what's the oldest freeze dried food you've eaten?  That is to say,
>how long do these F.D. meals last?  I've got a whole shopping bag full
>of old FD food left from previous adventures.  The oldest date back to
>'98, the newer back to '01.  I'm packing up for a trip, and wonder if
>these things are perfectly good (big investment sitting here!), or if I
>should just go buy fresh (so to speak).
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From: alex <al.m_at_3web.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Old Freeze Dried Food
Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2005 15:46:51 -0700
> Now, what's the oldest freeze dried food you've eaten?  That is to say,
> how long do these F.D. meals last?  I've got a whole shopping bag full
> of old FD food left from previous adventures.  The oldest date back to
> '98, the newer back to '01.  I'm packing up for a trip, and wonder if
> these things are perfectly good (big investment sitting here!), or if I
> should just go buy fresh (so to speak).


It probably lasts forever, - like mummies, if stored in dry conditions.
Otherwise some mould may grow if the package was damaged, - though I suspect
that even then it won't do you any harm if damaged layer has been shaved
off.
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