Ministry of Defence
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Troops put hot weather rations to the test
Troops on operations in Afghanistan are now trialling new hot weather ration packs, designed to feed troops with greater variety in the harsh summer temperatures.
Over 300,000 of the new 24 hour multi-climate rations (MCR) will be trialled by deployed troops this summer which sees the traditional "biscuits brown" and pate replaced by healthier and more suitable meals like pasta lunchtime pouches. The MCR also includes the introduction of 20 new trial menus for general use plus six new menus for Halal, Vegetarian and Sikh/Hindu ranges.
Speaking as the rations underwent a taste-test by the media at the MoD Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) headquarters at Bristol, Lt Cdr Neil Horwood RN, of the DE&S food project team said:
"Food is vitally important to the morale of our Armed Forces, especially when deployed on operations. It is really important to provide increased variety to troops operating for long periods on rations which will help reduce menu fatigue.
"We are all very pleased that the multi-climate rations are now in theatre to be put to the test by the soldiers, sailors and airmen, who are working in the most austere of environments. Early feedback has been extremely positive and we are confident that these rations will be a success."
The new menus have been developed to meet the needs of service personnel operating in extreme climates. The trial ration packs have been influenced by feedback from personnel in all three Services including direct input from troops who have experienced eating Operational Ration Packs (ORP) for long periods on operational deployments in severe and demanding conditions.
Major John Gilbert, based in DE&S in Bristol, who has served in Afghanistan said:
"The main improvement in the rations is the tremendous variety and the intelligent way in which the best of the old rations has been retained, together with the introduction of practical improvements such as the replacement of the chocolate bars which obviously melt in the heat or go rock hard in the Arctic."
The MCR has evolved following the success of the Hot Climate Supplements (HCS) that were sent to Afghanistan and Iraq over the last two summers as well as taking feedback from food selection panels which were conducted last year.
The MCR trial will run from May - October 2009 and will help inform the long term future of menus for 24 hour ORP in Hot Climates for summer 2010 and beyond.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The table below highlights a few of the major changes between the current 24 hour GP and MCR trial ration.
OUT IN
Chocolate Bars Energy Bars
Pate Pasta Lunchtime Pouches
Biscuits Brown Shrewsbury Biscuits
Biscuits Fruit Ginger Biscuits Corned Beef Hash Muesli
Treacle Pudding Rice Pudding
Oat Biscuit Various Fruits in a Pouch
Powdered Soup Ready made Soups in a Retort Pouch
Oreo Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cake
Numerous drink flavourings
Dental Chewing Gum
The nutritional make up of the ration has been evaluated by scientists at Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) using the Military Dietary Reference Values (MDRV) for Hot Climate ORP. Each menu contains at least 4000 Kcals, which is the scientifically determined level, recommended for hot environments, the table below details the macro nutrient levels required.
Energy/nutrient MDRV: Hot Climate ORP
Energy Minimum: 4000 kcal (16.7 MJ)
Carbohydrate Minimum: 55g :
Minimum 55% of daily energy intake
Estimated as 6.7g-kg?1 (BM)a
Fat About 30% of daily
energy intake (133g) Protein 100 to 120g
10 to 12% of energy intake
Estimated as 1.2 to
1.5 g-kg?1 (BM)a
The lower value should be
used during periods of
restricted intake
* The MCR ration underlines the strong focus within DE&S to support troops on Operations.
* Soldiers with recent operational experience participated in the selection of menu components.
* The ration design addresses the issue of menu fatigue and the need for greater user acceptance.
* In 2007 the MOD DE&S food project team purchased 135,000 Hot Climate Supplements (HCS) which were sent forward into theatre. Throughout the summer months (1 May - 31 Oct) every soldier issued with a box of 24 hour ORP was also issued with a bag of 5 supplements comprising energy bars, pretzels, drink flavouring and a pasta meal which could be eaten cold. We have also been issuing winter supplements in recent years.
* On average 1.5 million 24 hour packs are eaten every year with variable contents
* It is recommended soldiers consume 4000Kcals in hot weather and 3600Kcals in more temperate environments
* 10 man rations are used when fresh ingredients cannot be supplied due to operational factors but when chefs are available to feed Service Personnel in groups in the field. 24h hour packs are issued to individuals when it is not possible for chefs to cook meals for group feeding,
* Examples of items which have been replaced are:
* Chocolate bars removed and replaced with flapjack/energy bars.
* Biscuits Brown, Biscuits Fruit & Pate Replaced with Pasta pouches which can be eaten cold.
* A reduction in the hot drinks which has been replaced with energy drinks and fruit flavourings for water to encourage hydration.
* 20 New Main Meals to encourage soldiers to eat.
* Cold breakfasts such as muesli to get extra carbohydrate and fibre and to add variety from a baked bean based breakfast.
* Fruit Puree drinks and fruit cocktail desserts added to replace hot custard based desserts.
