Utilization of Dairy Ingredients in Convenient and Shelf Stable Health Food Formulations for Armed Forces

摘要

Armed Forces have to operate in a variety of challenging environments including difficult terrains, high altitude, underwater, confined space, air and hot humid environments. The troops operate above 13,000 feet and at areas such as Siachen glacier, the operation altitude goes up to 23,000 feet. The conditions include hypoxia and very low temperature wherein human physiology is adversely affected. Therefore while offering specific operational MKEs (meals ready to eat) for various terrains/ weapon platforms and combat theatres such as low intensity conflicts，it is highly important to keep in view the operational requirements in terms of food logistics and also the adverse effect caused by the extreme environments on human physiology and also the psychological aspects. Each terrain has specific requirements and the same needs to be addressed by the food to mitigate the adverse effect. Convenience and special nutrition are of utmost importance in developing shelf stable food products for the Armed Forces. Various performance enhancing functional products have been developed with incorporation of dairy ingredients. Dehydrated chicken cubes, freeze dried probiotic pineapple lassi powder, whey protein enriched grape juice powder and various whey-fruit based energy drink mixes are some of these hybrid products where functionality and texture/ consistency improvement have been achieved by the use of dairy components.