Israeli "Battle Rations" update

[kman]

Thanks for the update! I wonder if they ever found an outside company to produce the pouched meals for them or if they just decided to buy the retort equipment themselves and set up the process in-country.

[donaldjcheek]

More information on the new IDF battle ration.

As was reported in several media outlets, the field ration (a meal combat soldiers take on the field during missions or training) is about to change: the army is currently developing a new, durable meat meal to replace the traditional kosher spam already on its way to being out of use. Since the removal of kosher spam from field rations, soldiers have had to make do with frozen cans of tuna, but the Logistic Equipment Department (LED) of the Technological and Logistics Directorate is planning to replace them with a hot meat meal soon.

In future field rations, soldiers will find a portion of meat encased in an aluminum package, along with a special bag which heats upon contact with water, the result of a chemical reaction. Hundreds of infantry soldiers will try the new rations by December, after which the decision of whether to integrate the new solution or not will be made.

“This technology will allow us to give soldiers on the field a nutritious and delicious meat,” explains Head of Food Technicalities Department of LED, Maj. Donna Steinfeld. “Preparation is very simple and only takes a few minutes.”

The new field ration, available in three flavors – turkey shawarma, meat patties in tomato sauce and goulash, lasts up to a year and a half before expiration, with LED now trying to extend the period to three years. Every package inserted in the field ration will include four meat dishes, the Food Technicalities Department considering adding carbohydrates to turn it into a full on-the-field meal. The new technology comes from the US but soldiers will receive kosher rations produced in Israel by a civilian company.

The IDF is still issuing the Manot Krav 4-man ration until new ration is produced.

Complete IDF 4-man ration (current):

New type (but does have the can of Loof*), most items are in civilian packaging w/o the Tzahal logo. Contains: 3 cans fileted tuna, 1 can flaked tuna, 1 can pickles in brine, 1 can corn, 1 can Loof(Kosher spam), 1 can Chocolate-Halvah spread, 1 large can fruit cocktail, 1 small can Taam Hagalil Vegetarian spread, 1 small can Humus & Tahini spread, 10 fast food-type Osem ketchup packets, 1 pack dried dates, 2 packs (100 gr each) Halvah, 4 small uncoated chocolate Elite wafers, 1 can opener (P-38 type with the Tzahal logo) and 1 plastic garbage bag.

*Officially removed from inventory, but the IDF is apparently using up old stocks

[donaldjcheek]

Looks like Loof is gone forever.

According to the head of the IDF logistic service, old stocks of Loof ran out on November 14, 2011. The company that made Loof went out of business in 2009, as civilian demand vanished in favor of tastier and healthier alternatives. The IDF had been the only purchaser for the product for years, and subsisted on stored supplies after production ceased.

The can of Loof in the MK has been replaced by a can of ground beef in tomato sauce.

Technically, I guess the Israelis don't need loof any longer; just about any army post is less than 30 minutes from take-out pizza...



(And yes, don't ask me why, but pizza in Israel comes with a lot of ketchup packets.)

[Stef]

(And yes, don't ask me why, but pizza in Israel comes with a lot of ketchup packets.)

Hi,
I guess that's as they can't put meat over cheese for kashrut reasons, their pizzas are so sad without peperoni or even merguez, they have to add something to made them a bit more fancier

The loof discontinued? It's terrible step in the military history, like the US Army loosing the Colt 1911 ot the French the brandy flask
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4642

[dirtbag]

When I was in the US Navy, the Jewish folks got a waiver, so they could eat anything.
Nothing was 'kosher', so they would've starved otherwise.
Ham and bacon was popular!

Nowadays, who knows?

And if Loof tastes anything like Spam, I bet the troops won't miss it a bit!

[donaldjcheek]

Some new information on the Israeli "Battle Ration."

The IDF issues fresh bread Sunday - Friday. However, from sundown Friday until sundown Saturday, no leavened bread is allowed because of religious restrictions. Instead, mess halls use unleavened bread (flat bread, yeast-free pita, or matzoh); if using the manot krav, then canned field biscuit is used. Also, in situations where loaves of bread can't be sent to troops, prepackaged matzoh or field biscuit is sent.

With the removal of loof from the MK, the current configuration is:

2 large or 4 small cans tuna
2 cans sardines
1 large can ground beef in tomato sauce
1 large can olives
1 can cucumbers in brine
1 large can corn
1 can mixed nuts
1 can fruit cocktail or pkg dried fruit
2 cans hummus spread
2 cans sesame halvah spread (1 plain, 1 chocolate)
4 small tubs jam
2 loaves bread
4 bars halvah candy or chocolate covered wafers
fruit flavored drink powder
individual mustard & ketchup packets
8 sets of plastic ware
trash bags

Update: the new individual ration is in the supply system, but is little used except for training. As one soldier said, "I never had it, only heard about it."

It is intended to be used only by infantryman, for up to 72 hours. Tank, artillery and support troops will all continue to use the 4-man MK, as will infantrymen after the supply lines catch up.

[Stef]

Hi Donald,
thanks for the info about that new ration.
Concerning the bread, are you sure it's for every Saturday (Shabbat) or only for Passover (Pessah)?
AFAIK, the Shabbat bread is usually leavened : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challah
Maybe they just use matzot or crackers because the bakers can't work that day...

[rekrutacja]

from sundown Friday until sundown Saturday, no leavened bread is allowed because of religious restrictions

This is just not true. Only once in a year leavened bread is forbidden: during Pesach holiday. In fact, it is crucial that during Shabes dinner two braided yeast challah are served.

[donaldjcheek]

Thanks for the correction, rekrutacja.

The field biscuit is obviously used in situations where fresh bread can't be delivered.

I've never had any, but I doubt it's popular.

[donaldjcheek]

Interesting article on the rationale behind Israeli field rations.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/the-ration ... e-rations/