MYSURU: In good news for soldiers posted in high altitudes like Siachen, Ladakh and other places, 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.
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.
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,” said senior scientist Ramakrishna and technical officer Naveen S. Soldiers need to dip the food pouches in boiling water to consume the food, but lighting a fire will give away their position, they added.
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 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.