the date stamped on the box is the PACKING DATE this is then used with a military form to say when they must be bined......
however, i have used rations from 2001 2003 and 2004 and they will last for ever realy, as long as they are kept at room temp. if they get to hot they tend to melt things which leak from the packaging, ie chocolate and energy bars....
i had to bin about 2,500 ration packs when i was in Afghan because they where out of date.....what a waste, it was more cost effective to just burn them than send them back to Bastion to grt burnt anyway.......
bummer, could have made a mint......lol........