CHEW OF A KIND

No army can expect freshly-cooked food 24/7, but soldiers can still maintain a balanced diet out in the field. Here's a look at what goes into the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) 24-hour field ration pack.

The field ration packs are designed in accordance with the Health Promotion Board's nutritional guidelines for a balanced diet, to meet the daily requirements of an average Singaporean male between 18 and 65 years old, about 1.7m tall and weighing approximately 65kg. The field ration provides approximately 3,350 kilo calories per day.

Each field ration includes one main and one accessory pack as well as a packet of instant noodles. The shelf life for each field ration pack ranges from six to 18 months. There are a total of 13 different menus for the main pack, which include a selection of vegetarian, spicy and non-spicy meals. As for the accessory pack, there are five different combinations.

The menus of these field ration packs are revised every three months, said Joyce Tan, Food Technologist at Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA). "New menus are proposed by the contractor for the panelists, which include representatives from DSTA, Headquarters Supply as well as servicemen, to evaluate if they are suitable and well-received by the majority before DSTA approves their introduction."

Some of the more well-received items on the menu include desserts such as Green Bean with Nata de Coco, as well as main dishes like pasta and glutinous rice.

Besides meeting the nutritional requirements, these field rations have to fulfil a special role - to be a morale booster for tired and hungry soldiers. Hence, small treats like chocolates and sweets are included in the 24-hour field ration packs.

The field ration pack is also light weight (less than 1.6 kilograms) and easy to eat for servicemen who are on the move most of the time. Simple features such as the tear notch on the retort pouches help.