The Many Uses Of Halal Rations

By Jerri Perry


People everywhere need food. It doesn't matter what their ethnic or religious background is or what language they speak. Everyone needs to eat if they want to survive. Sometimes it can be difficult to prepare something to eat, though. This is where prepackaged meals come in handy and these days you can even get halal rations for Muslims.

Ration packs are prepackaged meals most often used in the military. They don't require refrigeration and are usually light and easy to carry over long distances. Usually a ration pack contains everything a person might need for sustenance during the day, from full meals to snacks and energy-giving drinks. The individual items are packaged in such a way that they don't require can openers or other special utensils. Sometimes they even contain a chemical heating tablet that can be used to warm up the contents of cans without having to make a fire if one is far away from civilization.

Muslims often can't eat the meals from regular ration packs. Islam has strict dietary laws about what its adherents may or may not eat. Pork is forbidden, as are blood, alcohol and anything that is derived from these products. Islamic law even states how animals like sheep should be slaughtered and where and how meals should be prepared. Anything that is acceptable according to Islam is considered halal.

In a halal ration pack, you'll find full meals and snacks, just like in regular rations. The difference is that everything in the pack has been prepared according to Islamic dietary law. Meat, for instance, will come from a Muslim butchery where the animal has been slaughtered according to Islamic prescriptions and there won't be anything containing pork or alcohol. Even the snacks are carefully chosen so as not to contain pork-derived gelatin.

There is a good reason why the military issues ration packs to troops before they go into battle. On the battlefield, there is no time to stop and prepare a meal. In addition, troops won't have the means to do so anyway and it can be downright dangerous to make a fire and give away their position. It's much easier and safer to simply find shelter for a few minutes, open a can and enjoy a quick meal or snack or even a cup of coffee.

Ration packs have proven incredibly useful in other situations too, not only in battle. After a natural disaster, for instance, the first response is to find and rescue any survivors and there won't be time or human resources for setting up a kitchen and preparing meals. Ration packs can be flown in easily and will provide sustenance for the relief workers and the victims alike. In a multicultural world, there will probably be Muslims among both groups and they will require special meals.

Of course it's not only in combat or disaster situations that ration packs come in handy. They're perfect for hiking and other activities in the outdoors. Even where camping is allowed, the making of fires may be prohibited and those chemical heating tablets can save the day.

There are different companies that prepare and sell halal rations. Many outdoor supply stores keep ration packs in stock but you may have to ask your local store to order ones for specific dietary needs. Another option is to look online or to find out if you can buy military surplus.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment