COMPRESSED FOOD

Grey River Argus, 27 January 1943, Page 5

COMPRESSED FOOD

lesson from the Japanese. MELBOURNE, Jan. 26. Dietetic research officers attached to the RA.A.F. have been experimenting with the production of compressed emergency rations for issue to all R A.A.F. crews. As a basis for comparison. these officers have analysed the Japanese naval emergency ’ rations. Enemy samples wrapped in edible rice paper came from th e Yokohama navy stores. The ration is highly compressed, being about a quarter of the size'of the present Australian Services’ emergency ration, which is packed in a 100 cigarette tin. This Japanese ration comprises five compressed cubes, containing glucose, butter, dried milk, peanuts, and some small , seeds. The taste is described as “vaguely Oriental,” supplying almost as many calories as the much more bulky Australian ration. This is designed to enable a man to “live off his fat,” at the same time supplying sufficient heat units to keep his energy high. Other Japanese ration issues have been found to contain a higji proportion of kelp seaweed, with valuable nutritive quantities, as well as a healthful iodine content.