| Accession Number | REL42757 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Foodstuff |
| Physical description | Aluminium, Cardboard |
| Maker |
Australian Defence Industries |
| Place made | Australia, Australia |
| Date made | c 2005 |
| Conflict |
Period 2000-2009 East Timor, 1999-2013 Iraq, 2003-2013 Solomon Islands (RAMSI), 2003-2013 |
Australian Defence Force ration box menu B
Description
Foldable cardboard box containing two empty green aluminium metal ration tins. On the top of the box is a yellow rectangular sticker which is a caution regarding food allergies. The exterior markings on the box indicate that it held 'Menu B' Australian Defence Force rations which was packed on 25 February 2005. The inside of each tin contained within the box is natural aluminium. Embossed into the lid of each ration tin is 'RECYCLE WHENEVER POSSIBLE'.
History / Summary
This ration box contains a pair of green painted aluminium tins. Each of these tins normally contain five 24 hour ration packs for a total of ten per box. Ration boxes such as these are commonly found on Australian Defence Force bases, vehicles and training establishments both in Australia and overseas.
Commonly known as 'rat packs' to the men and women of the Australian Defence Force, the 'Type B' menu that would have been held in the ration box was one of five different menu options during 2008 to 2009. These ration menus were given the letters 'A' through the 'E'. Each member of the ADF has their own preference among the different menus and it is not unusual for the issued ration packs to be swapped between personnel in order to obtain their favourites.
Each ration menu contains common items such as tea, coffee, biscuits, cordials, tinned fruit, health bars and chocolates. The primary difference between each ration option was in the main meals and condiments and includes such dishes as, beef satay, ravioli and rosemary lamb. This reflects the diversity of the Australian population and modern Australian tastes in food. The variety of condiments include tomato sauce, vegemite, chilli sauce, bbq sauce or sweet and sour sauce.
The Australian Defence Force regularly changes the contents of the ration packs based on feedback from members of the ADF, the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and with the advice of dieticians. From 2008 the options were expanded between A to G menus which includes a vegetarian option.