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War and Pizza
Oct 28, 2015
Explore how military organizations influenced the food industry, from canned goods to innovative pizza. Learn about the challenges faced by the American military in feeding soldiers and the development of durable and palatable meals. Discover the process of creating a three-year shelf-stable pizza and the impact of military technology on everyday food.
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Quick takeaways
- The military's innovations in food preservation have significantly influenced the commercial food industry, including the development of TV dinners, frozen entrees, and microwave technology.
- While the military's advancements in food preservation have improved convenience and availability, their impact on health is uncertain and may have unknown effects.
Deep dives
Military innovation in food preservation
The military has been involved in food production and preservation for centuries, innovating techniques such as drying, salting, smoking, and pickling. Nicholas Appert revolutionized food preservation by developing canning techniques in the 18th century. World War II led to the creation of the Combat Feeding Directorate, which works on extending the shelf life of military ration packs. The modern MREs (meals ready to eat) have replaced cans with flexible pouches and offer a variety of entrees. The military is also working on developing shelf-stable foods that resemble popular items like hot pockets and pizza.
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