Sunday, June 30, 2013

Troops Can Now Get Kosher MRE Rations

By Myrtle Cash


Many feel that the meals ready to eat are solely aimed at the military. While it can be said that they are the main consumer, its hardly surprising when you consider the size of the organisation. Within such a huge organisation there will be people from all walks of life, and all faiths. This also includes adherents to the Jewish religion. These people have some special dietary needs, so the kosher mre ration was developed. Although it is not solely the military who benefit.

The military had several stipulations. These meals have to be easily carried, each person would often be carrying rations for three days. So therefore they couldn't be too heavy, a problem with the old fashioned canned rations. An added bonus is that prior to eating so heating or extra water is required.

Unlike other military rations, which might stay on a shelf for a few years before being shipped out to waiting troops, these have a faster turnover. This is because they are targeted at a much smaller number of service people. So they are that much fresher when they get to their intended recipient.

These meals have to meet very strict criteria, and have to be prepared in accordance with Jewish law. This also means the locations that these meals are prepared at, and the utensils that are used in this preparation. Finally it also encompasses the packaging, before it can be truly labelled as being kosher.

Many people think that this standard only affects the meat. That is only part of the process. Any meat has to have been kept in accordance with certain practices, and it then has to have been slaughtered in a specific way. The condition of the animal's lungs is extremely important, these should have no blemishes or defects.

Even grain products have to measure up. The five classic grains of old Israel are Wheat, Barley, Oats, Spelt and Rye. These have to have been planted and rooted prior to Passover. If it doesn't measure up it will have to wait until next year. Rice and Corn are exempt from this as they are not considered the same as the classic grains.

As with other ration meals soups are also included. Even the process for this has very stringent guidelines. This ensures that these soups are parve. This certifies that neither meat nor dairy produce has been used. Even ruling out the possibilities that either might possibly have had any form of contact. Other parties, such as Vegans and vegetarians, are also interested in this certification.

Even leafy green vegetables get thoroughly checked. Dairy produce has some of the strictest guidelines. Every step of the way has to be under rabbinical guidance. This includes from the initial milking, right up until the final packaging.

So even though these kosher mre rations might have originally been intended to be used by troops of the Jewish faith, that is not their sole use. Many civilians do find them very convenient, and as previously indicated these rations can also be used in emergency disaster relief situations. So there has been a lot of thought and care that has gone into the production of these rations.




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