Troops to get Halal Western food

Spaghetti and American fried rice will be added to the Army Quartermaster Department's menu to better please soldiers' taste buds when they go on missions in the far South.

MREs, or meals ready to eat, are high-energy, high-calorie packed meals designed for field soldiers. It is hoped that foreign entrees will make an exciting and satisfying change to the current selection of Thai dishes.

Dessert or snacks, such as candies and milk tablets, will be packed along for the first time to provide extra energy and refreshment.

''We often believe that soldiers when in combat or on other field work can eat anything. But tasty dishes with Western flair could cheer them up,'' said Wallop Pradapsilp, technical department chief, who gave the menu a face-lift.

Spaghetti with roast chicken in a vacuum package has a shelf life of a year.

The officer is hoping that spaghetti and American fried rice, which is khao pad cooked with ketchup, chopped hot dogs, chicken drumsticks and a fried egg, would at least add a little happiness for soldiers working in the troubled South.

However, many are doubtful if Western food will be popular among the soldiers, who might be more familiar with spicy Thai dishes.

The combat rations, destined for soldiers in the deep South, carry the Halal logo because some of the soldiers are Muslim.

Halal food must be made from ingredients that comply with Islamic principles of hygiene and the humane treatment of animals as well as processing, packaging and sanitary practices.

''I tasted every dish myself to make sure that from now on MREs will not only be a quality food, but also delicious,'' Col Wallop said.

The production cost of each package is 50 baht, he said. The Quartermaster Department is responsible for preparing the packed meals, as used in the United States military, for field soldiers on patrol or who are caught up in battle