Of course they can, and many do with good reason. The meaning of Kosher in the context of food mainly deals with the way food is selected and
prepared. While for Jews, the implications of eating Kosher food may ultimately be spiritual in nature, the process of determining what is
Kosher and preparing food according to Jewish law are incredibly practical and often include obvious health benefits.
On the most basic level, we find that cleanliness, respect for our natural environment, and respect for our bodies are the guiding principles. Kosher
principles are relative to all human beings, so it is no surprise that non-Jews find a great deal of physical and moral advantage in eating Kosher
food. In fact, the market research firm Mintel found in a 2009 survey that 3 out of 5 Kosher food buyers choose Kosher not for religious reasons, but
for food quality. The top 3 reasons given by consumers for purchasing Kosher were “food quality,” “general healthfulness,” and “food safety.”
To take a simple example, let’s look at the preparation of meat. In Jewish law, cruelty to animals is explicitly forbidden. Kosher meat must be
prepared in a way that does not cause pain to the animal.
As we have become aware of the inhumane conditions suffered by animals in conventional slaughterhouses, Kosher food has emerged as a much-needed way for people to enjoy meat with peace of mind.
Along similar lines, only healthy animals are permitted for slaughter and consumption according to Jewish law. Animals are closely inspected for disease and organ defects during the selection process. It is also forbidden to consume the blood of the animals. Kosher meat must have all the blood removed d- even a single drop is enough to nullify a Kosher certification. Again, while there are spiritual implications for such practices, both modern science and the food industry have confirmed that
many of the health risks surrounding meat consumption are eliminated in such ways.
The USDA and Journal of Food Science have both published studies confirming the reduction of harmful bacteria in meat during the Koshering
process.
For these and other reasons, Kosher slaughterhouses must be kept incredibly clean and operated by thoughtful, conscientious people. Produce,
too, undergoes similar scrutiny- the presence of an insect on a piece of fruit would be equally as non-Kosher as a drop of blood on an egg, for example. The cross-hybridization of produce is also strictly forbidden.
As the pool of ingredients and processes utilized by the food industry becomes increasingly more complex, consumers are rightfully becoming more
interested in confirming the quality and safety of their food.
Regardless of religious beliefs, anyone who has ever eaten a meal in Kosher household can attest to the care and diligence that must be paid to the
process of selecting, preparing, and serving food. One would naturally find even more rigor and discipline in certified Kosher facilities, which is why
Kosher food is more and more becoming an obvious choice for consumers of all backgrounds.
When it comes to emergency preparedness food, safety, reliability and nutrition are essential. Whether you are federal, state or local relief agency, being prepared means having on-hand supplies of shelf-stable meals and a partner that understands emergencies and has the ability and resources to scale up if conditions require quantities beyond what was originally anticipated.
Labriute Meals supplies food to disaster relief organizations such as the Red Cross and OEM offices and the company also supply State, local and voluntary organizations as part of their disaster relief preparedness.
Labriute meals were delivered during Hurricane Gusta, Irene, Ike, Katrina and Superstorm Sandy. Our logistics and planning experts work with FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, and disaster relief and assistance organizations to ensure proper support in the event of large scale emergency anywhere in the US.
Labriute offers choices of meals that accommodate any disaster response plan and and budget: from our patented, flameless, self-heating meals to Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) with or without heating elements.
Labriute meals ship with accessory packs that include cutlery sets, snacks and sanitary hand cleaning wipes.
