In a major initiative, the Mysuru-based Defence Food Research laboratory (DFRl) has invented re-usable food warmer pouches and fresh curd maker that guarantees fresh and hygienic food for the soldiers.
DFRl comes under DRDO and the food warmer and curd maker would certainly help forces serving in the high altitudes of Siachen, ladakh and other places.
According to senior scientist Ramakrishna who briefed the media in Mysuru, Army use ponies at present for food supply. The new inventions would help them keep their food warmer at their posts.
He said, “At present, the Army is dependent on ponies to supply food. It takes hours for the ponies to reach Army posts from the bottom and by that time the food will become solid due to the cold temperatures that reach upto minus 20 degrees Celsius.”
Soldiers need to dip the food pouches in boiling water to consume the food, but lighting a fire will give away their position, he added.
According to scientists at DFRl, the re-usable food warmers, having encapsulated constant watt heaters as source of heating, provide pouch-to-product uniform and effective heat transfer without overcooking the product.”
The warmers weigh around 2.5 kg and can be easily carried by armed personnel in their backpacks. Food packets can be warmed at sub-zero temperatures just by placing them inside the pouches for 15-20 minutes before eating,” said S Naveen, Technical Officer.
Another product, the fresh curd maker works at high altitudes and at sub-zero temperatures. The new equipment is easy to carry and it can prepare 5-10 litres of fresh curd within four hours.
Ramakrishna said both the products have completed field trials in parts of North-East, J&K and Udhampur and soldiers are impressed with it.
The Defence Food Research laboratory conducts research and development of technologies and products in the area of food science and technology to cater to the varied food challenges for the Indian Armed Forces.