The Versatility 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.

One of the most convenient forms of prepackaged food is the ration packs used by the military. Each ration pack contains full meals, usually in canned form, as well as powdered drinks and some snacks such as energy bars. It's normally enough food for an entire day. What makes these packs so convenient is that everything they contain is easy to open and easy to eat when you don't carry a whole lot of utensils with you. They're light and compact too so they easily fit into a backpack.

In Islam, there are certain foods that are forbidden. They include pork, blood, alcohol and any products derived from these, such as certain types of gelatin or black pudding. Islamic law calls food that is allowed 'halal' and these foods should be prepared separately from other meals so that there won't be any contamination with, for instance, blood.

Halal ration packs, like regular packs, contain meals as well as snacks. However, everything these packs contain is allowable in Islam. It is a given that none of the main meals will contain any pork and that all meat products come from a Muslim butchery. In addition, snacks such as candy or energy bars don't contain any gelatin derived from pigs.

The military often uses ration packs for soldiers out on the battlefield. This is not only because the soldier simply won't have the time to prepare a meal out there. Carrying prepackaged meals is also a safety measure because the smoke of cooking fires can tell the enemy where the troops are. With a ration pack, the soldier can hide out in a cave or any other shelter, no matter how cramped, and enjoy something to eat or drink without the risk of being discovered.

It's not only in combat situations that ration packs are useful. They're perfect for disaster relief too, because at the scene of for instance an earthquake or flood, there won't necessarily be the equipment to set up temporary kitchens. When the disaster happened in a country with a large Muslim population, having enough halal packs will prevent the victims from suffering even more because of their religious beliefs.

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.

Several catering companies prepare prepackaged meals not only for military use but also for outdoor lovers. You may find their products at stores that sell outdoor supplies. Don't wait until the last minute to buy these, though, because depending on where you are, you may have to order halal rations specially.




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