MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (026/2009) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 5
February 2009
Traditional
biscuits brown and corned beef hash are to be replaced with new
products in ration packs distributed to front-line troops this summer.
Over 300,000 of the new 24-hour Multi-Climate Rations (MCR) will
roll off Vestey Food's UK production line to be trialled by
deployed troops. They will feast on more suitable pasta lunchtime
pouches, cookies and energy bars that replace some of the more
traditional components of ration packs.
The MCR trial will also include the introduction of 20 new menus
for general use, plus six new menus for vegetarian, Halal, and
Sikh/Hindu dietary requirements.
Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said:
"One of the most important requirements is to provide
increased variety to troops operating for long periods on rations,
which will help reduce menu fatigue. These new menus have been
developed to meet the needs of service personnel operating in the
extreme climates of Afghanistan and Iraq, providing them with a
wider range of nutritionally balanced meals."
The contents of the MCR ration packs has been heavily influenced
by feedback from troops from all three services, including those
who have experienced eating existing Operational Ration Packs
(ORP) for long periods while on the front line. The severe and
demanding conditions include temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius.
Food selection panels were conducted in May 2008 to select
products for the new MCR and included soldiers from the Household
Calvary Regiment, who have recently returned from operations.
Captain Paul Cunningham of the Defence Food Services project team said:
"The food served to our soldiers, sailors and airmen is
well-balanced, nutritious and plentiful and, in the main camps,
the majority of our troops eat freshly prepared hot and cold
meals, cooked by professional skilled chefs, using a wide range of
commercial rations including fresh fruit and vegetables. However,
in the remote areas in Afghanistan and Iraq, away from the main
camps, it is not always possible to provide meals cooked by chefs
from raw ingredients.
"Under these circumstances we currently provide a range of
ten general purpose (or 5 vegetarian, halal, sikh/hindu) ration
packs that are issued with supplements to reflect the weather. The
new Multi-Climate Ration trial will double the amount of available
menus and remove the need for supplements.
"We have lots of new items in the rations and I am convinced
these will be very popular with our troops."
The in-theatre trials will begin in May and run until October
2009. The MCR trial will help inform the long term future of menus
for 24 hour ORP in Hot Climates for summer 2010 and beyond, as
part of the continuing process of improving operational rations.
Notes to Editors:
1. For further information contact Lisa Murphy of the DE&S
press office on 07810 237 923 or David Hunter in the MoD Press
Office on 0207 2182165.
2. The MCR trial will run from May - October 2009 and follow on
from the Hot Climate supplements currently in-theatre from May
this year
3. The MCR ration underlines the strong focus within DE&S to
support troops on operations.
4. The ration pack has evolved following the success of the Hot
Climate Supplements (HCS) that have been sent to Afghanistan and
Iraq over the last two summers.
Interesting Ration Pack Facts:
The table below highlights a few of the major changes between the
24 hr GP and MCR Trial ration.
OUT
Chocolate Bars
Pate
Biscuits Brown
Biscuits Fruit
Corned Beef Hash
Treacle Pudding
Oat Biscuit
Powdered Soup
IN
Energy Bars
Pasta Lunchtime Pouches
Shrewsbury Biscuits
Ginger Biscuits
Muesli
Rice Pudding
Various Fruits in a Pouch
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 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: 550g Minimum: 55% of daily energy
intake Estimated as 6.7g.kg1 (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.kg1 (BM)aThe
lower value should be used during periods
of restricted intake