(MOD) Troops work up an appetite for new rations

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.