Picnics and packed school lunches may never be the
same again, thanks to the latest breakthrough by military science
-- the non-soggy sandwich.
Spurred on by rather unappetizing U.S. battlefield food known
as Meals Ready to Eat, scientists at the Army Soldier Systems
Center in Massachusetts have devised a vacuum-sealed sandwich
that stays edible for up to three years.
"The water activity of the different sandwich components
needs to complement each other," project officer Michelle
Richardson told New Scientist magazine. "If the water activity
of the meat is too high you might get soggy bread."
Using an array of chemicals to seal the meat and inhibit bacterial
growth, the scientists already have produced pepperoni and barbecue
chicken indestructible sandwiches, which have been given a cautious
welcome by soldiers who agreed to try them.
Inspired by their apparent breakthrough, the scientists are now
experimenting with pizzas, bagels, burritos and even the staple
peanut butter sandwich.
(Agencies)
Updated: 2002-04-15 01:00