Research on the development of ready-to-eat meals tailored to the tastes of the Vietnamese people

Abstract

Vietnam is a country often affected by natural disasters, especially floods, which makes it impossible for many people who live in isolated conditions to cook. Till now, the typical food relief options for those living in isolated areas are instant noodles and dried rations. However, these foods cannot be consumed for an extended period due to their incompatibility with Vietnamese tastes and nutritional imbalance. Therefore, researching to create traditional dishes that suit Vietnamese tastes, ensure energy, and can be consumed over an extended period in rescue situations is necessary. This research presents some results on using retort technology to produce meals that match the Vietnamese palate and are convenient for situations where cooking is impossible. The meal consists of three components: white rice, bottled gourd soup, and canned saba fish. With a weight of 200 g of rice, 150 g of canned fish, and 200 g of soup per pouch, the meal provides 968.1 kcal of energy. The meal provides a balanced amount of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, ensuring food safety according to the regulations of the Vietnam Ministry of Health. These ready-toeat meals can be stored under normal conditions (room temperature) for 24 months.