Cultural Norms & Eating HabitsCultural Norms & Eating HabitsUnit 8 SeminarUnit 8 Seminar

September 21, 2011

Amy Bridges, MS, RD, LDN

Unit 8Unit 8Discussion: This week we will discuss Kosher or

Halal Food Laws.  You will investigate and describe where in your community you can find Kosher and Halal foods. 

Seminar: This week our discussion will center on how each participant’s cultural norms affect eating habits.

Project: This week you will write a 2–3 page report and explain how you would respectfully defend your positions to your food service director in regards to a cultural food need.  As part of your paper, you will include a special holiday menu for either the Kosher or Halal Food Laws and for the regular diet. 

Cultural Food PracticesCultural Food Practices Jewish Food Practices Islamic Food Practices Cajun and Creole Food

Practices Korean American Food

Practices Filipino American Food

Practices African American Food

Practices Alaska Native Food

Practices Native American Food

Practices

Hmong Food Practices Chinese American Food

Practices Asian Indian and

Pakistani Food Practices South American Food

Practices Caribbean Hispanic

Food Practices Central American Food

Practices Mexican American Food

Practices

USDA: Addressing Cultural USDA: Addressing Cultural FoodsFoodsEthnic/Cultural Food Guide

Pyramid

http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=4&tax_level=3&tax_subject=256&topic_id=1348&level3_id=5732

Cultural Food Laws Cultural Food Laws vs. vs.

Cultural Food Cultural Food Practices/PreferencesPractices/Preferences

Is there a difference?

How should they be treated in food production or food service?

Kosher Food LawsKosher Food Laws

Kosher laws look at three main aspects:

1.Allowed animals2.Prohibition of blood3.Prohibition of mixing milk and

meat

Kosher Food LawsKosher Food Laws Allowed

animals◦ Mammals with

split hoofs that chew their cud

◦ Domestic birds◦ Fish with fins

and removable scales

◦ Honey/beeswax

Animals not allowed◦ Pigs◦ Wild birds◦ Shark◦ Dogfish◦ Catfish◦ Monkfish◦ Crustacean and

molluscan shellfish◦ Most insects (with

exception of a few grasshoppers)

Kosher Food LawsKosher Food Laws Prohibition of blood

◦ Animals must be slaughtered according to specific Jewish laws

Note Kosher meats have much more strict inspection requirements

Kosher Food LawsKosher Food Laws Prohibition of mixing milk and meat

◦ Equipment, utensils and cooking areas must be separate for the different foods.

◦ Foods must be processed and handled separately into different groups

Meat products Dairy products Neutral products (plants, egg, fish, honey, lac

resin)

Note fish can be eaten with meat but not directly mixed with meat

Halal Food LawsHalal Food Laws

Halal laws look at these main aspects:

1.Prohibited animals2.Prohibition of blood3.Method of slaughtering/blessing4.Prohibition of carrion5.Prohibition of intoxicants

Halal Food LawsHalal Food Laws Allowed animals

◦ Mammals with split hoofs (cattle, sheep, goat, lamb, camel, buffalo)

◦ Birds that do not use their claws to hold down food (chicken, turkey, duck, geese, ect)

◦ Fish is allowed in some groups

◦ Milk◦ Eggs

Animals not allowed◦ Pigs, boar, and

swine◦ Lions, tigers,

cheetahs◦ Cats, dogs, and

wolves◦ Birds of prey

(eagle, falcon, osprey, kites, vultures)

Halal Food LawsHalal Food Laws Prohibition of blood Proper slaughtering of permitted

animals◦ Controversial issue*

Meat of animals killed by the Ahl-al-Kitab (people of a different faith)

Prohibition of carrion◦ Presence of dead animal/carcass

Prohibition of intoxicants◦ Alcohol (or any fermented beverage)

Government RegulationsGovernment RegulationsState and federal agencies regulate

Kosher and Halal food claims:◦Protects right-to-know issues◦Protects truth in food labeling ◦Requires certain cultural information be

available so that consumer may make the best choices

◦Halal legislation exists only for New Jersey, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and California

Class DiscussionClass DiscussionList one cultural food practice

you personally follow and/or have encountered

How known or available is this food practice in the food industry or health care industry?

Class DiscussionClass DiscussionWhat struggles do consumers

face when attempting to follow their cultural food practices in the US?

What efforts have been made in food service or production to accommodate this cultural practice?

Class DiscussionClass DiscussionHow do particular cultural norms

in food practices affect risk for chronic disease among the population? Give examples.

Extra ReadingExtra Reading

Using Cultural Competence Constructs to Understand Food Practices and Provide Diabetes

Care and Education

http://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/22/1/43.full.pdf+html

Questions? Comments?Questions? Comments?