Chinese army diet gets healthier

BEIJING, June 4 (UPI) -- China's 2.3 million-strong People's Liberation Army, the largest in the world, will enjoy a healthier diet starting July 1, the military said.

The soldiers will get more poultry and seafood under the new diet regimen, which will also include dairy products and fruits, the army's general logistics department announced, Xinhua reported.

The proportion of digestible animal protein in the basic Formula I will go up to 41 percent from 26 percent currently, the report said.

Formula IV, the highest level available to submarine crews and aviators, will remain unchanged.

The cost of the new diet program was not provided nor did the PLA say if its budget would go up. Currently, the cost ranges from $1.62 for Formula I to $5.70 for Formula IV.

China officially has stated its national defense budget for this year rose 14.9 percent from last year to 480.7 billion yuan or $70.3 billion.