Halal Rations Are Not Just For Muslims

By Leanna Freeman


There are many occasions in which Halal rations might be required. These days they can be used by the military, and can also be used as a camping or backpacking resource. During humanitarian crises they are particularly helpful for feeding Muslims affected by drought or warfare. The meals themselves are prepared according to their religious customs and beliefs.

For those in the dark about this type of produce the main thing to know is that the food does not have any alcohol in it. Food such a grains, vegetables and fruit are fine and so is meat, as long as it's been slaughtered according to Islamic beliefs. This also means that kitchen implements need to be free of any traces of non-Halal food before they are used as do work surfaces.

There are some popular misconceptions about food and one of them is that if a food is Kosher then it should be no problem serving it to a Muslim. The trouble with this notion is that some Kosher foods have alcohol as well as flavors and colors, like gelatin, that are forbidden in Halal food. Moreover, the Kosher way of slaughtering meat differs from that of the Halal way.

One of the biggest suppliers of rationed food is the military, and their rations are known as MRE, which means Meal Ready to Eat. As the name suggests, these are portions that carry everything a soldier should need, such as a main meal, side dish, drink and snack. They can normally be eaten cold but to be heated up they need to be placed in the sun or on a car engine.

The military meals are portable and are therefore easy for the soldier to carry when they are patrolling or in combat. Their lightweight design makes them suitable for campers and hikers or anyone going on a long journey that needs food portions that are easy to carry.

In the USA and the UK, the army have a lot of experience with special types of food. They serve meals in the dining hall and cater for many different needs, both religious and non-religious. Out in the field is a little different, as the rations have to be sent, therefore a list of every soldier and their requirements is a must.

Because of the way they are packaged, the food portions usually last around six months and often do not contain preservatives. The average calorie count in a meal is around 1200, and they are designed to give the soldier the nutrition they need for many hours. The advantage of each meal being prepacked is that there is no risk of cross-contamination with food that has been prepared in a non-Halal way.

There are many uses for Halal rations. Although the military are one of the biggest users of them there is nothing to stop anyone in need of a portable and nutritious product from packing them in their backpack and taking them camping.




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