Acceptability and consumption a study on the perception of the operational rations of the Brazilian Army in the jungle operational environment

Abstract

Acceptability and consumption of operational rations are objects of study in several world armed forces due to the frequent history of underconsumption. In this scope, this article sought to identify, in an unprecedented way, the perception of military personnel about the menus in the operational environment of the jungle, a strategic region for national defense, by associating data obtained with an electronic questionnaire and a qualitative instrument of focus groups. The results showed the perception of high technology, but showed opportunities for improvement in terms of monotony, nutritional profile, and well-being in consumption. The focus groups emphasized demands for nutritional adaptations and increased menu variety. It was observed that a fraction of the menus presents consumption lower than 75% of the volume offered, indicating the need for reformulations, aiming to mitigate underconsumption and impacts on operability. Therefore, complementary studies are suggested, providing opportunities for the development of products that are more adapted to the strategic environment of the jungle.