MRE Date Code Converter

MRE Manufacturers use a 4-digit modified Julian Date code to indicate the manufacture date.

The MRE Date code is usually stamped on the MRE box and pouch. The location of the date code can vary. The first digit represents the year, and the last three digits represent the day. So, for example, the code 4023 would indicate it was manufactured on the 23rd day of 2024 so 1/23/2024. The first number is the Year (4 = 2024) and the last number (023 = January 23rd) is the day in the year. Sometimes other letters representing batch numbers will be appended to the date code (i.e. 4123C). The inspection date is 3 years after the manufacture date. So, 4023 would have an inspection date of 1/23/2027

Date code of 0023 would be Manufacture date of 9 = 2020, 023 = January 23rd os this manufacture date is 1/23/2020 and an inspection date of 1/23/2023.

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.

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