Troops on operations put new multi-climate
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.
More than 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 pâté 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
Bye bye biscuits brown, hello healthy snacks
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.
OUT IN Chocolate Bars Energy Bars Pâté 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 ******s Chocolate Chip Cake Numerous drink
flavourings Dental Chewing Gum
Chocolate Bars Energy Bars Pâté 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 ******s Chocolate Chip Cake Numerous drink flavourings Dental Chewing Gum
New rations
