DOST develops ready-to-eat rice porridge for disaster victims

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has developed a ready-to-eat chicken arroz caldo or rice porridge to address the immediate hunger of victims of calamities. 

The ready-to-eat chicken arroz caldo pack has a shelf life of at least one year, said Daisy Tañafranca, head of the Packaging Technology Division (PTD) of the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) of the DOST. 

The packaging is lightweight and very handy. It is designed to withstand aerial distribution of 800-1,000 feet in flooded areas or in disaster zones that cannot be reached by land because of damage, she added.  Tañafranca said the DOST is pursuing the research and development of relief food, recognizing that disaster victims need ready-to-eat meals.

Emergency food like noodles, canned goods, coffee and rice require water and heat which may be unavailable during calamities. 

The DOST is conducting a field testing and validation study of the ready-to-eat chicken arroz caldo using the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s food relief protocols. 

Tañafranca said the DSWD accepted the new product as a relief food and would fund its commercial production and stock them in the regions.  

“In fact, DSWD now prefers relief foods that are convenient to pack, ready to eat, does not require cooking, with a shelf life of at least one year, and chicken and fish as main ingredients,” she added. 

Private companies have also expressed interest in the ready-to-eat chicken arroz caldo.

“At least two companies are interested to produce the product for DSWD and at the same time commercialize the product under different brand name.”