Halal MRE - An Introduction To Rat Packs

By Daniel Reed


Meals, Ready to Eat, are self-contained field rations used in the United States armed forces. They are specially packaged and carefully formulated. To accommodate the various dietary and religious needs of the consumers, special meals, including Kosher, vegetarian, and Halal MRE are available.

The consumption of "rat packs" is not limited to members of the armed forces. Astronauts use military-like ready meals. They are also suitable for preppers. In order to meet the requirements for the meals to be prepared under battle conditions with a minimum of fuss, certain comprises are often made with respect to palatability. As a consequence, MREs have been referred to affectionately as "Meals Rejected by the Enemy, " "Meals, Rarely Edible, " and "Meals Resembling Edibles, " to name just a few.

The contents of a single meal might typically include an entree and a side dish. The meal would be rounded out with a dessert. The pack also contains a bread roll or crackers, together with something to spread on them, such as peanut butter or cheese spread. Powdered beverages, i. E., coffee, tea, soft drinks, etc., are thrown in. Finally, the accessory portion of the pack would contain seasonings and maybe even some chewing gum or mints.

The non-edible component contains a spoon, a bag for preparing the beverage, and something for personal hygiene, like a napkin or moist towelette. Waterproof matches are thrown in. Also essential is a flameless heater to bring the temperature of the meal to an acceptable level for palatability and food safety.

The manufacturers also accommodate the dietary requirements and religious restrictions of service members. Specifically, Kosher and Halal regimens are catered for. For those living in hostile weather conditions, such as near the poles, there are special cold weather meals. In some places, the temperature gets so low that even the FRH cannot bring them to a thaw, never mind suitable eating temperature.

For service members with strict religious dietary requirements, the military offers a type of pack called "Meals, Religious, Kosher/Halal." Halal meals are those that Muslims are permitted to eat under Islamic Shariah law. The most well-known example of a forbidden food is pork. Halal covers non-food items as well, including medicines and cosmetics.

Pork is also prohibited under Kosher dietary requirements observed by Jewish people. This dates back to Jacob, the patriarch of the twelve Israelite tribes, who damaged his hip joint in an all-night wrestling match with an angel. To this day, Jews avoid eating pork. Both Kosher and Halal regimes have specific regulations concerning the way the animals are slaughtered.

People living in outer space have particular challenges to be met with regard to meal times. The absence of gravity is the main one. Food tastes different in deep space, too, and astronauts tend to like spicy foods. On one occasion, a member of the Gemini II space crew, mission commander Gus Grissom, smuggled a corned beef sandwich on a flight. He was gently reprimanded by NASA.




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