Email is the best way: sales@halalcertified.com

No. The Halal supplier market is still in its infancy in the US. While in the US there is a supplier network for consumer hand–slaughtered poultry, the ingredient supplier network is not yet developed. J&M is working with the industry to develop this practice further.

However, we work with Islamic slaughter men and certifiers which require the poultry slaughter line to be slowed and for the blessing to be recited over each bird by a trained Islamic slaughter man. Any birds missed are pulled off the line to be sold as non-halal.

Yes.

No. Like all consumers, some are and some are not.

No. Halal certification is unique. Kosher is not Halal. Halal is not Kosher.

The use of alcohol in flavors or colors is not a kosher issue, but it is an issue for halal. In addition, kosher slaughter does not meet the Islamic religious requirement of blessing each animal at the moment of slaughter. And kosher certification of many vegetarian-type items do not meet halal standards. For example, cheese, marshmallows, candies, baked goods and yogurt may have enzyme or gelatin ingredients from animals which are not halal. Similarly, meat and dairy ingredients can be mixed for halal but not for kosher. The complexities of processed foods, the international sourcing of ingredients and the religious requirements of dhabiha halal slaughter make halal certification unique.

For more detailed information, we wrote an article about the differences between kosher and halal certification for the Institute of Food Technologists, Getting Religion – For Your Products That Is by Mary Anne Jackson July 2000, Volume 54, No.7

Ingredients used in processed foods may contain haram ingredients in colors, flavors or processing aids, as well as in sub-ingredients used. Processing plants may also produce non-halal products for other customers where one ingredient supplier may be acceptable for non-halal certified products, but not approved for halal certified products. Equipment may be shared with both non-halal and halal products requiring a special cleaning and inspection by a trained, independent Halal inspector.

Haram means “prohibited” or “forbidden” for consumption, including pork, alcohol, carrion, or any slaughter not meeting the standards of proper slaughter.

Today, the processing of foods for wide distribution means that even many formerly home-made meals, breads, yogurts or cereals may no longer be considered halal. This may occur because non-halal ingredients or shared production facilities with non-halal production are utilized.

Dhabiha (Zhabiha) Halal refers to meat and poultry properly slaughtered by a trained slaughter man according to specific procedures and practices. It also refers to processed meats, meat products, and meat by-products.

The word Halal means “proper and permitted.” Halal designated food items meet religious dietary laws and are permitted to be consumed. Halal includes all fruits, vegetables and grains. This designation was simple to follow at a time when food was prepared at home or within a community, long before the processed foods industry of today.

Every case of J&M® halal certified MRE rations and meal kits has two codes printed on the side of the Master Case.

1. The first code is the date assembled and reads as: “PACK DATE: DD MONTH YEAR”. The “DD” means the day of the month it was packed. “MONTH” is the month it was packed and “YEAR” is the year of the pack.
2. The second code is the Best By date. It is coded as “BEST BY MONTH YEAR”. This month and year is the date by which we recommend consuming the ration. While some of the components inside the master case may have a later Best By date printed on its packaging, including the J&M® main course meals, we use the earliest Best By date for any one of the components inside that case to establish the “Best By” date for the entire assembled ration and meal kit.

An inventory is maintained to sustain a state of readiness for emergencies and unexpected surges in demand, so be sure to inquire as to the current “Best By” date of the inventory at the time of your order, especially if shelf life is important to your purchase decision. We ship FIFO basis. Our rations and meal kits are not intended for long-term storage.