The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine under the direction of the Committee on Military Nutrition Research conducted an 18-month study to determine if there are modifications in military ration composition that would prevent possible adverse health and performance consequences of consuming such rations while in short-term high-stress situations.

A multidisciplinary committee reviewed the effects on nutrient status that might result from such missions, along with the consequences on health and performance; considered the nutrient balance and investigated whether some changes in specific nutrients would prove to be beneficial for either enhancement of performance or for recovery from such missions.

The report titled, "Nutrient Composition of Rations for Short-Term, High-Intensity Combat Operations,"  was released on June 6, 2005.