Is GMO Kosher or Halal? or CAfO Processed Be FIT FOR ANY HUMAN CONSUMPTION? https://trianglek.org/kosherdefined.html
Is GMO Kosher or Halal? or Can ‘Factory Processed’ ~ Be FIT FOR ANY HUMAN CONSUMPTION ~ Slaughter Quickly & Drain the Blood-Comparison of Islamic
& Jewish Dietary Laws & WILD GAME Hunting Practices~
All other seafood is NOT kosher such as all shellfish; shrimp, lobster, clams, oysters, scallops, etc. and crustaceans (crabs, crayfish/crawfish, etc.). Also, scavengers “bottom-feeders” such as catfish & monkfish are not kosher.
PREPARATION: It is forbidden to eat or cook milk and meat together.
Triangle K Kosher Supervision and Certification – Kosher Defined
Kosher means ‘proper’, referring to foods which are acceptable to be eaten by those of the Jewish faith who practice and observe certain dietary laws as prescribed in the Torah, the Old Testament. Such foods and food product derivative are said to fall under the laws of Kashrut. These laws come primarily from the Bible, with additional Rabbinical decrees which have been handed down through generations of time. Our purpose here however, is only to introduce the novice to a very general overview of these laws. What follows, are some of the basic laws of what is and is not considered to be kosher in the strictest sense of the term. This is only an overview. Particular questions regarding any foods should be discussed with Rabbi Ralbag or an associate of the Triangle , rabbinical scholars thoroughly knowledgeable in all the laws of Kashrut.
ANIMALS:
Only the meat of certain animals are kosher. These animals can be identified as having split hooves and chewing their cud – animals such as cows and sheep.
There are many kosher animals such as deer, buffalo and others, however ALL animals must be slaughtered in a very specific ritualistic manner to be certified as kosher. And only a trained professional called a “shochet” may perform the slaughter. Killed instantly to prevent the STRESS TOXINS from circulation in the blood to the muscles~
NOTE: All liver must be broiled before use in recipes, because of a prohibition against ingesting blood.
POULTRY AND OTHER FOWL: We know which birds are kosher by means of tradition. The Torah lists which birds are not kosher. However, we are not sure of the exact translation of some of these species from the original Hebraic text in which the Bible was written. Therefore, only birds known by tradition to be kosher are considered so. This includes chicken, duck, turkey, quail, Cornish hens, doves/pigeons, geese, and pheasant.
NOTE: Poultry and fowl are considered to be meat and thus prohibitions against mixing dairy products with them applies.
Also, birds must be slaughtered in a very specific ritualistic manner as with all meats to be certified as kosher. Again, only a trained professional called a “shochet” is permitted to perform the slaughter.
NOTE: All liver must be broiled before use in recipes, because of a prohibition against ingesting blood.
FISH: All fish with scales and fins are kosher – fish such as tuna, carp, whitefish and salmon are kosher.
All other seafood is NOT kosher such as all shellfish; shrimp, lobster, clams, oysters, scallops, etc. and crustaceans (crabs, crayfish/crawfish, etc.). Also, scavengers “bottom-feeders” such as catfish & monkfish are not kosher.
NOTE: Kosher fish are not ritually killed.
FRUITS, VEGETABLES and GRAINS: All fruits, vegetables and grains are kosher. The one exception is with special laws pertaining to grape products. See below, WINES.
CHEESE: Although cheeses are dairy (RAW & PASTURED), some cheeses are not kosher if they are made with animal-origin rennet from a non-kosher animal. OR ANIMALS FED GMO??
INSECTS: All insects, crustaceans, shellfish, and other invertebrates are NEVER considered to be kosher. It is therefore necessary to be careful that vegetables are not infested with insects.
WINES: Rabbinical supervision is required over all wines and grape products. The reasoning for this stems from medieval times when wine was used by non-Jews in pagan rituals and libations. These rituals rendered those wines unfit for for consumption by Jewish people and these laws have held fast into modern times.
Because of this sacramental aspect of wine in Judaism, there are special laws governing all grape products and only those grape products which have proper supervision are considered to be kosher by observant Jews. This applies not only to grape wine but grape juice, grape jelly, vinegar, and all soft drinks that use white grape juice as a sweetener. It does not apply to fresh grapes or raisins.
PARVE: Fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits and grain may be produced and manufactured with either milk or meat products. Thus, oils such as vegetable oils and shortenings may be used with both milk and meat products.
PREPARATION: It is forbidden to eat or cook milk and meat together. Therefore, if any product includes both meat – even a kosher meat – and a dairy product in its ingredients it CAN NOT be kosher. However, in today’s highly sophisticated world of food technology many PARVE substitutes are available. It is also forbidden to use the same utensils that were used for manufacturing a non-kosher product for making a kosher product – unless the utensils or machinery are specially cleansed.
Again, this is just a basic overview of the laws of Kashrut and kosher foods. There is much more. Therefore, most foods that are manufactured must be produced under the reliable supervision of an organization such as Triangle & Associates.
Slaughter Quickly & Drain the Blood-Comparison of Islamic & Jewish Dietary Laws & WILD GAME Hunting Practices~
Slaughter Quickly & Drain the Blood-Comparison of Islamic & Jewish Dietary Laws & WILD GAME Hunting Practices ~
COK Investigates: Cruelty Exposed at Iowa Factory Farm and Hormel Supplier https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWDZCX8UMmQ
** How Factory Farming Contributes to Global Warming – EcoWatch https://www.ecowatch.com/how-factory-farming-contributes-to-global-warming-188169..
Can GMO, Heat-Altering & Over-Milling CAFO-GMO be Kosher or Halal? When the processing Destroys Omega 3 & Ignore the ancient practice of Soaking & Rinsing” to remove the Vital Glutens & Lectins that are ground into the food ~ Contaminating the food making the food & Disease-Causing!
Can GMO & Heat Altered Foods be Kosher or Halal? Dee Hinkle on LinkedIn Kosher and Halal Objectives To discuss the background surrounding Kosher and its importance to them…
The Islamic dietary laws (halal) and the Jewish dietary laws (kashrut; in English, kosher) are both quite detailed & contain both points of similarity and discord. Both are the dietary laws of Abrahamic religion but they are described in distinct religious texts: an explanation of the Islamic code of law found in the Quran and Sunnah and a Jewish code of laws found in the Torah and explained in the Talmud.
As a rule of thumb, most Kosher foods not containing alcohol are also Halal.[1] However, there are some exceptions, and this article lists the similarities and differences between the two laws.
Slaughter
- Both shechita and dhabihah involve cutting across the neck of the animal with a non-serrated blade in one clean attempt in order to sever the main blood vessels.[2][15]
- Both require draining the blood of the animal.[15][16]
The Science Behind:
Cortisol, Adrenlyn is a steroid hormone, in the glucocorticoid class of hormones. When used as a medication, it is known as hydrocortisone.
It is produced in humans by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex within the adrenal gland.
It is RELEASED into the bloodstream in response to stress & low blood-glucose concentration…Cortisol – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol
IN THE WILD: 6 Things To Do Immediately After Shooting a Deer~
HANGING THE GAME: Once the deer is transported to your destination, it should be immediately be hung, so it is not touching the ground. Some hunters prefer to hang it head up, while others prefer to hang it head down.
The key is to hang it, because this lets remaining blood drain out of the deer& other precautions to REMOVE TOXINS FROM A STRESS FILLED TERRIFIED ANIMAL –
READ MORE at https://www.liveoutdoors.com/hunting/244081-6-things-to-do-after-shooting-deer/#XGb3JLK0ERrIeEM1.99
THE SCIENCE BEHIND – THERE ARE ‘OPTIONS;’ TO avoid eating meat eaters to industrial (CAFO-GMO) FARM INHUMANE PROCESSES ~
Google: ‘Pasture Raised Meat Near Me’
OR GO HUNTING – We Shouldn’t Have to Wonder if Our Food is SAFE… Find a farm or ranch near you on our Eatwild Missouri map.
Visit our Missouri Beyond the Farm page for a list of local markets, stores, restaurants & buying clubs that sell Free Range – ‘Pastured’ products.
http://www.eatwild.com/products/missouri.html
Alabama | Alaska | All-Grass Dairies | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | District of Columbia | Farms That Ship| Florida | Georgia |Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming |
CANADA | All-Grass Dairies| Farms That Ship | International…
It is the most comprehensive source for grass-fed PASTURED meat & RAW dairy products in the United States and Canada.
Products include – Beef, Pork, Lamb, Veal, Goat, Elk, Venison, Yak, Chickens, Ducks, Rabbits, Turkeys, Eggs, RAW Milk, RAW Cheeses, Wild-Caught Salmon and more!
Eat Wild – Find Your State www.eatwild.com/products/
The Second Coming-Italian Renaissance-Food & Drink – Non-GMO, Over-Milled or Heat-Altered-Not Modern SAD (Raw) Natural State Dee Hinkle on LinkedInFood & Drink in the Italian Renaissance The food and drinks in the Italian Renaissance were unique
Can GMO & Heat Altered Foods be Kosher or Halal? Dee Hinkle on LinkedIn Kosher and Halal Objectives To discuss the background surrounding Kosher and its importance to them…
GMO-The Next Berlin Wall! Time to Tear it down? Dee Hinkle on LinkedIn…GMO – The Next Berlin Wall! https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/gmo-the-next-berlin-wall-time-tear-down-d…
REASONS TO ‘AVOID’ CONVENTIONAL “INDUSTRIAL FARMED” MEAT:
(AS WE ENJOY OUR ‘TAINTED” HOLIDAY MEALS! ‘CATFISH CHRISTMAS? (NOT FARMED & FED GMO) – ‘PASTURED’ FARM ANIMALS OR WILD GAME …
REASONS TO STOP BUYING CONVENTIONAL ‘CAFO-GMO-FED’ MEAT FROM THE INDUSTRIAL FARM MACHINE –
~’INDUSTRIAL’ STRESSED TO MARKET,’
~FED GMO ALFALFA, SOY, CORN & INCUBATING ‘BACTERIA’ IN MEAT CASES (NOT DRY) – ONLY TO BE DESTROYED in COOKING & STORED IN BODY IN ‘CURIOUS STORAGE’ PLACES…
The U.S. ranks as the MOST OBESE country in the world. In the average country tracked by the OECD, about one-fifth of the population is obese.
United States (the ‘LAST STRONGHOLD’ in the World ~ NOT to ‘BAN’ GMO)!
From 1976 to 1980, just under 1 in 7 American adults, or 15.1 percent, were OBESE.
Now, despite people’s concerted efforts, obesity is at its highest level ever, with about 40 percent of U.S. adults and 18.5 percent of children, considered obese.
Commercial sale of GMO (genetically modified) foods began in 1994, when Calgene first marketed its unsuccessful Flavr Savr delayed-ripening tomato. Most food modifications have primarily focused on CASH CROPS – in ‘high demand’ by farmers – Such as GMO soybean, GMO WHEAT & CORN, GMO canola, & GMO cotton.
GMO ALFALFA (fed to the animals WE EAT!)…
This is itself an increase of about 30 percent -Just since 2000 when roughly 30 percent of American adults were OBESE…
Commercial sale of GMO ‘genetically modified’ foods began in 1994, Obesity rates in the U.S….The percent of the total population that’s OBESE has climbed from 19.4 percent in 1997 …
Pets are being affected also – Larger, fatter animals & Larger, fatter Vet Bills!
To more than 30 percent in 2015 – (INCREASED USE OF ‘GMO’- Genetic Modification)…
Why is Obesity RAMPANT in US…GMO Franken Foods & Industrial Meat & Dairy?
The YIELD INCREASES with GMO – HOWEVER… WHILE THE YIELD ‘MAGNIFIED’ – SO ALSO is ‘MAGNIFIED’ the ‘Naturally Occurring’ & ADAPTIONS FOR SURVIVAL~
The ‘Vital Gluten’ (Seed Lock) & the ‘Lectins’ in the Peel that ‘Prevent Predators’ from eating the seed~These seem to be ‘MAGNIFIED’ in the ‘Same Proportion’ to the FOOD To A level ‘NOT FIT FOR ‘HUMAN (OR ANIMAL) CONSUMPTION’ – CAUSING CELIAC Disease & EXCESS LECTINS in the PEEL – Causing Obesity – storage of non-bioavailable substates of Cheat,Fast & Convenient Faux Food!
Creating Excessive ‘Non-Bioavailable’ (Dead particulate- Cancer causing ‘Free Radicals’) – Only to be STORED IN FAT CELLS, JOINTS, SKIN OR BRAIN …
AMERICA-The LAST COUNTRY TO ALLOW GMO FED TO ANIMALS & HUMANS ~ Faux, Synthetic FOOD – NOT FIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION!
BUT VERY CHEAP & TASTY!
READ MORE ON THE ANY SLAUGHTER METHODS:
Many countries have adopted the principle of a two-stage process for the non-ritual slaughter of animals. This is to ensure a rapid death with minimal suffering. The first stage of the process, usually called stunning, renders the animal unconscious, and thus not susceptible to pain, but not necessarily dead. In the second stage, the animal is killed, usually by slitting its throat and allowing the blood to drain. Countries differ in the methods which have been legalized for different species or different ages, some regulations being governmental, others being religious.[citation needed]
Shechita is the ritual slaughter of mammals and birds according to Jewish law….https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_slaughter Dhabihah is the method used to slaughter an animal in Islamic tradition. Shechita requires that an animal be conscious and this is taken to mean the modern practice of electrical, gas, or percussive stunning before slaughter is forbidden.
Most Muslim authorities[who?] also forbid the use of electrical, gas, or percussive stunning.[citation needed] However, other authorities state that stunning is permissible so long as it is not the direct cause of the animal’s death.[14]
Similarities[edit]
- Both shechita and dhabihah involve cutting across the neck of the animal with a non-serrated blade in one clean attempt in order to sever the main blood vessels.[2][15]
- Both require draining the blood of the animal.[15][16]
Differences[edit]
- In Judaism, only one who has been specially trained and has learned and been tested on all the laws of shechita may slaughter Kosher animals. [17] However, dhabihah can be performed by any “sane adult Muslim… by following the rules prescribed by Shariah“.[18] All Islamic authorities, though, state that dhabiha can also be performed by Peoples of the Book-(Jews and Nazarenes).[15]
- Dhabiha requires that God’s name be pronounced before each slaughter.[15] (see Islamic Concept of God). Dhabiha meat by definition is meat that is slaughtered in the shariah manner and the name of Allah is said before the slaughter. In Shechita, a blessing to God is recited before beginning an uninterrupted period of slaughtering; as long as the shochet does not have a lengthy pause, interrupt, or otherwise lose concentration, this blessing covers all the animals slaughtered in that period. This blessing follows the standard form for a blessing before most Jewish rituals (“Blessed are you God … who commanded us regarding [such-and-such]”, in this case, shechita). The general rule in Judaism is that for rituals which have an associated blessing, if one omitted the blessing, the ritual is still valid [see Maimonides Laws of Blessings 11:5]; as such, even if the shochet failed to recite the blessing before shechita, the slaughter is still valid and the meat is kosher.[19]
- There are some restrictions on what organs or parts of the carcass may be eaten from a halal-slaughtered and dressed animal, as described in the Quran or Hadith.
- Commonly known prohibitions include BLOOD (Qur’an 2:173), penis, testicles, vulva, glands.[20][21] However, kashrut prohibits eating the chelev (certain types of fat) and gid hanosheh (the sciatic nerve), and thus the hindquarters of a kosher animal must undergo a process called nikkur (or, in Yiddish, traibering) in order to be fit for consumption by Jews. As nikkur is an expensive, time-consuming process, it is rarely practiced outside of Israel, and the hindquarters of kosher-slaughtered animals in the rest of the world are generally sold on the non-kosher market.[22]
External linksSubstance classification[edit]
Similarities[edit]
- Swine is prohibited by both sets of beliefs.[2][3]
- Many animals permitted in kashrut are also halal, such as bovines.[4][5]
- To be kosher, aquatic animals must have scales and fins. Most Sunni schools of thought adhere to the interpretation that all creatures from the ocean or the sea or lake are considered halal.[2][6] Twelver Shia Muslims however consider that only sea creatures that have scales are halal, but make an exception with some crustaceans; shrimps and prawns, but not lobsters.[7] This is similar to the Jewish law with the exception of fins.
- Gelatin is only permissible if it comes from a permissible animal (usually kosher gelatin comes from the bones of kosher fish,[citation needed] or is a vegan substitute, such as agar). Judaism finds that only gelatin made from kosher animals and/or kosher fish are in essence “kosher gelatins.”
- Almost all insects are prohibited by both sets of law, although of the Maliki school of Sunni Islam permits eating insects, with the condition of it being dead by any means. [8][9][10] The few kosher insects are specific types of locusts and grasshoppers (see Kosher locust) which are not eaten today in most Jewish communities, since it is unknown which species is permitted (the exception being the Yemenite Jews, who claim to have preserved this knowledge); however all types of locusts are considered halal in sharia.[10][11]
Differences[edit]
For a substance to be halal, it must not contain alcohol of any kind. However, there is a difference drawn between the addition of alcohol to foods, which is absolutely forbidden, and the small quantities that naturally become present – such as orange juice. Except for grape wine and grape juice (which must be manufactured under Jewish supervision), kashrut allows the consumption of any sort of alcohol, as long as it has kosher ingredients (excluding any unsupervised grape extracts).[12][13]
The list of animals forbidden by kashrut is more restrictive, as kashrut requires that, to be kosher, mammals must chew cud and must have cloven hooves. Thus some animals such as the camel are halal, but not kosher.[2][5]
Kashrut requires strict separation of dairy and meat products, even when they are kosher separately.
Other comparisons[edit]
Similarities[edit]
- After slaughter, both require that the animal be examined to ensure that it is fit for consumption. Dhabiha guidelines generally say that the carcass should be inspected,[15] while kashrut says that the animal’s internal organs must be examined “to make certain the animal was not diseased”.[23]
- Both sets of religious rules are subject to arguments among different authorities with regional and other related differences in permissible foodstuffs.
- Strictly observant followers of either religion will not eat in restaurants not certified to follow its rules.
- Meat slaughtered and sold as kosher must still be salted to draw out excess blood and impurities. A similar practice is followed in some Muslim households, but using vinegar. This is done to remove all surface blood from the meat, in accordance with Islam’s prohibition of the consumption of blood.[citation needed]
Differences[edit]
- During the Jewish holiday Passover, an additional set of restrictions requires that no chametz (sour-dough starter or fermented products from the five species of grains) be eaten. This requirement is specific to the holiday, and nothing to do with the laws of kashrut.[23]
- Kashrut prohibits the mixing of meat and dairy products; consumption of such products or profiting from their sale are also forbidden. Halal has no such rules.[24]
- In Judaism, the permissibility of food is influenced by many secondary factors. For instance, vessels and implements used to cook food must also be kept separate from non-kosher products, and not used for both dairy products and meat products. (If a vessel or implement used to cook dairy products is then used to cook meat, the food becomes non-kosher and the vessel or implement itself can no longer be used for the preparation or consumption of a kosher meal.) In general, the same policy extends to any apparatus used in the preparation of foods, such as ovens or stovetops. Laws are somewhat more lenient for certain kitchen items such as microwaves or dishwashers, although this depends greatly on tradition (minhag) or individuals’ own stringent practices (chumrot). As a result of these factors, many Conservative and Orthodox Jews refuse to eat dishes prepared at any restaurant that is not specifically kosher, even if the actual dish ordered uses only kosher ingredients.[25]
- Likewise in Islamic food preparation, the permissibility of food is also influenced by many secondary factors. Apart from the prescribed foods that can be consumed, all food must be halal and by this, all utensils and kitchens used to prepare food must also be deemed as halal. Halal utensils and kitchens require that these utensils or food preparation surfaces do not get in contact with non-halal items. For instance, cakes prepared using alcohol as an ingredient are considered non-halal. In fact, food cooked in any type of alcohol (even if the alcohol burns out during the cooking process) is also deemed non-halal. Kitchens which have been used to prepare non-halal food must be sanitized (samak) according to Islamic principles before they can be used to prepare halal meals. Kitchens and utensils previously used to prepare non-halal meals are required to be fully sanitized in an Islamic fashion before they can then be used for halal food preparation.[26];;;
- MORE ON WAYS TO SAFELY SLAUGHTER ANIMALS FOR FOOD…
CHAPTER 7: Slaughter of livestock
http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/x6909e/x6909e09.htm#b1-Preparing%20livestock%20for%20slaughter]
Preparing livestock for slaughter
Malpractice in immobilization of livestock
Religious or ritual slaughter (Halal and Kosher)
Determining insensibility at slaughter
The obligation in the conversion of food animals into edible products and useful by-products is to slaughter the animal in a humane manner and to process the carcass in a hygienic and efficient way.
Preparing livestock for slaughter
At the time of slaughter, animals should be healthy and physiologically normal. Slaughter animals should be adequately rested. They should be rested, preferably overnight, particularly if they have travelled for some times over long distances. However, pigs and poultry are usually slaughtered on arrival as time and distances travelled are relatively short and holding in pens is stressful for them. Animals should be watered during holding and can be fed, if required. The holding period allows for injured and victimised animals to be identified and for sick animals to be quarantined.
When ready for slaughter, animals should be driven to the stunning area in a quiet and orderly manner without undue fuss and noise (Fig. 8, 9, 26). Droving can be facilitated using flat canvass straps (Fig. 8), rolled plastic or paper, and in the case of stubborn animals, prodders (Fig. 6) can be used occasionally. Animals should never be beaten nor have their tails twisted. Animals should be led in single file (Fig. 24, 25, 27) into the stunning area where they can be held in appropriate restraining device(s) before stunning.
Restraint devices
It is very important that slaughter animals should be properly restrained before stunning or bleeding. This is to ensure stability of the animal so that the stunning operation can be carried out accurately and properly. Different types of restraints are appropriate for different species:
Cattle
A stunning box is the most common method of restraining cattle (Fig. 25, 44). The size of the box should be just wide enough to prevent the animal from turning around, and so be difficult to stun. The floor of the box should be non-slip. A simple neck crush used by farmers to restrain cattle for weighing is suitable for small-scale operations (Fig. 45). Restraining tame cattle outside the stunning box by securing the head in a halter and then pulling the rope through a metal ring in a concrete floor is effective. It is recommended that the operator should be positioned behind protective steel bars (Fig. 46).
Fig. 44: Stunning box for cattle
Fig. 45: Simple, effective race and neck crush for cattle restraint
Fig. 46: Small-scale operation position of the pre-stunning operator behind protective steel bars
Sheep/goats
A properly constructed metal stunning box is appropriate (Fig. 47). However, they can be restrained manually quite satisfactorily.
Fig. 47: Sheep/goat stunning box
Pigs
A stunning box is suitable for pigs (Fig. 48). Putting a few pigs in a small room is suitable but only for electrical stunning (Fig. 57, 58). On no account should pigs be restrained manually.
Poultry
Chickens are shackled by their legs onto a conveyor line (Fig. 49). This must be done gently to avoid injury and stress. In a small slaughterhouse, birds can be placed headfirst in cones (Fig. 50).
Ostriches
These are temperamental animals, and because they will kick, they must be securely restrained. This can be done by leading them into a padded V-shaped pen, with the head facing the apex of the pen. Also the feet can be clamped immediately after electrical stunning has begun (Fig. 59).
Animals should never be left standing for a prolonged period in a restraint device and must be stunned immediately after being secured. The operator must be adequately trained and supervised. In some countries, people who handle and stun animals have to be trained and licensed.
Fig. 48: Stunning box/restrainer for pigs
Fig. 49: Poultry shackled on conveyor by legs prior to electric stun
Fig. 50: Stun/bleed cones for small-scale poultry slaughter
Stunning methods
Carbon dioxide gas stunning (Fig. 64, 65)
It is desirable to render an animal unconscious before it is slaughtered in order to eliminate pain, discomfort and stress from the procedure. Most developed and many developing countries have legislation that requires pre-slaughter stunning, with the exception of authorised ritual slaughter like Kosher or Halal. In some circumstances, traditional slaughter may be exempt from pre-slaughter stunning. Whatever the stunning method, the animal should be rendered unconscious for long enough so that bleeding results in enough loss of blood to cause death from lack of oxygen to the brain (cerebral anoxia). In other words, death should occur before the animal would have regained consciousness after stunning, had bleeding not taken place. There are three main technologies used to effect stunning-Percussion, Electrical and Gas. Only the first two are commonly used in developing countries.
Percussion stunning
This method produces a physical shock to the brain (Fig. 51).
Captive bolt
This method works on the principle of a gun and fires a blank cartridge and it propels a short bolt (metal rod) from the barrel. The bolt penetrates the skull bone and produces concussion by damaging the brain or increasing intracranial pressure, causing bruising of the brain (Fig. 52). The captive bolt is perhaps the most versatile stunning instrument as it is suitable for use on cattle, pigs, sheep and goats as well as horses and camels, and can be used anywhere in the world. (Although electrical stunning is preferable to captive bolt pistols for stunning pigs and sheep.) There are several different manufacturers of captive bolt pistols, and after the initial expense, running costs are minimal. Users must ensure sufficient supply of cartridges, which may be different in caliber for stunning guns from the different manufacturers. These features make the captive bolt the stunning instrument of choice, particularly in developing countries.
There are two variations of the gun. One has a handle and trigger. The other comprises hand-held barrel, which is tapped against the skull, which sets of the cartridge explosion (Fig. 52, 53).
Another type of bolt has a flat, mushroom end (Fig. 55). Unconsciousness is achieved through percussion by strong blow to the skull. The brain is not penetrated, and as the animal is not killed, it is a method that is acceptable in many countries for Halal slaughter. When in use, the captive bolt is positioned on the correct spot on the animal’s head (Fig. 51, 53, 54). Poor maintenance is a major cause of poor stunning and the guns must be cleaned and serviced regularly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Fig. 52: Use of Captive Bolt Pistol (CBP)
A. Bottom part removed from main part of CBP for loading the cartridge
B. CBP in firing position (firing pin to be released through trigger)
C. BP with expelled bolt after firing (rubber rings stop expulsion and partially withdraw bolt)
Fig. 53: Hand-held barrel captive bolt gun
Fig. 54: Wrong position of the captive bolt pistol (see also Fig. 51)
Fig. 55: Mushroom bolt stun gun
For effective stunning, it is important that the operator is well trained in its use of the stunning gun. If the operator becomes fatigued, accuracy of stunning is reduced, so in large plants, rotation of two stunners is recommended. Stunning of bigger pigs may require a stronger cartridge, as the sinus cavities of the skull are larger. Large bulls have a bony ridge in the forehead and penetration may be more difficult, requiring off-centre aim. A captive bolt gun is not suitable for stunning ostriches. Their brain is small and lobulated, and the bolt does not produce proper concussion.
Gunshot
In circumstances where animals are too fractious to be handled in the normal way, such as when they cannot be loaded on the farm or led into the stunning restraint, gunshot with a free, soft-nosed bullet is effective. A 22-calibre bullet is sufficient for most animals. Shooting with a free bullet can be dangerous to operators. If the animal is to be slaughtered on a farm, it should be accurately shot while standing or lying on soft ground to prevent the bullet from ricocheting.
Electrical stunning
This method of stunning is well suited for pigs, sheep or goats, poultry and ostriches. (Use in cattle or other large species is in development, but if not properly applied it may result in excessive haemorrhage in the muscles or spinal fractures.) Electrical stunning induces electroplectic shock or epileptic state in the brain. This state should last for long enough for bleeding to be carried out so that the animal dies from cerebral anoxia. A low voltage alternating electric current is applied by means of two electrodes, which are placed on either side of the brain using tongs. Since the brain of animals is small, the electrodes should be accurately and firmly placed high up on the sides of the head in sheep, goats, pigs and ostriches (Figs. 56, 57, 58, 59).
Fig. 56: Tongs for electrical stunning of sheep or goats
Another way is to place one electrode under the jaw and the other on the side of the neck behind the ears. This type of head-only stunning is reversible and the animal will regain consciousness. For this reason, stunned animals should be bled immediately after stunning (Fig. 77).
Irreversible stunning causes cardiac arrest. Here a third electrode is placed elsewhere on the body. Electrodes are applied in the form of tongs. They should never be placed on sensitive areas such as the eye, inside the ear nor rectum.
Fig. 57: Tongs for electrical stunning of pigs
Fig. 58: Tongs for electrical stunning of pigs
Fig. 59: Tongs for electrical stunning of ostriches
Ostriches should be stunned only electrically. The tongs are placed either at the sides of the head below and behind the eye or above and below the head (Fig. 59). Poultry can be stunned electrically using a manually operated device (Fig. 60) or using an automatic water bath (Fig. 61). Here birds are dragged through a trough of water that is charged with a low voltage current.
Fig. 60: Manually operated electrical stunning box for small-scale poultry slaughter
Fig. 61: Water bath for automatic electrical stunning of poultry
The strength of the current is a combination of amperage and voltage appropriate for the species. The equipment should be fitted with a meter to measure the correct current. Approximate current/time guides for different species are as follows:
* EPS is electroplectic shock.
3 An alternative way of electrical stunning of poultry is the utilization of high voltage (300-500 Volts), which causes immediate cardiac arrest. It is claimed that through this method possible insufficient stunning, which may occur in some cases when using the low-voltage stunning, is avoided.
For sheep, goats, pigs and ostriches, during this period the limbs extend the back and head arch and the eyes close. After some 10 or more seconds, muscles gradually relax followed by paddling movements. The electrodes should be removed at this stage as stunning is complete (Fig. 58).
The electrodes should be in good repair and not corroded. They should be cleaned daily. The operator should be competent to ensure correct positioning and good contact of the electrodes. Passage of electric current through the brain is facilitated by cutting the hair over the site or wetting the electrodes. If the whole face or body is wet, the current may short-circuit the brain.
Failure of the operator to apply the apparatus to the correct spot on the head may not produce unconsciousness, resulting in a condition known as missed shock or “the Nightmare State of Leduc”. The animal becomes paralysed and unable to vocalise but remains fully conscious. The simplest commercially available electrical stunning units must have a transformer or other electric circuits that will deliver the recommended minimum amperage and voltage required inducing insensibility.
Unfortunately in many developing countries, homemade devices for electrical immobilisation are still being used. These may be simple wires attached to the animal or homemade tongs but without transformers to achieve the correct current parameters (Fig. 70). Home made stunners plugged directly into the mains are painful to the animals and very dangerous to the operator, as there may be exposed wires.
Generally, electrical stunning of cattle or other large species may result in excessive haemorrhages or spinal fractures due to large muscle spasms. This will be particularly so if unsophisticated technology is used. New Zealand and some other countries have developed modern methods for electrical stunning of cattle to overcome these problems, in particular for beef exports to some Muslim countries or for installation in slaughterhouses in Muslim countries where this method is acceptable (Fig. 62, 63). The New Zealand technique is ‘the Ranguiru System4 or Wairoa Process5, and is a head-only stun.
4 The Ranguiru system is a modified electrical stun, which is applied to Western-type cattle slaughter, where the animal is stunned through the brain and the heart stop beating. It is not accepted as Halal by Muslims.
5 The Wairoa process is a slaughter technique developed in New Zealand, which involves an electrical head-only stunning. This renders the animal insensitive to pain but able to recover if the slaughter cut is not made. The heart remains beating. The system is humane, safe for workers and generally accepted as Halal by Muslims.
Carbon dioxide gas stunning (Fig. 64, 65)
The use of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas is a relatively new method of stunning suitable for pigs and poultry. However, it is applicable only at large industrial plants, as the sophisticated technical equipment is relatively costly to install. Basically, animals are stunned using various concentrations of CO2 in air. Concentrations of CO2 for the stunning of pigs are at least 80% in air for 45 seconds and poultry of 65% for 15 seconds. The acceptability of this method on welfare grounds has been questioned however. For some genetic types of pigs, it may be satisfactory, and for others may be stressful.
Currently Argon gas is being tested for stunning purposes. It is assumed that Argon gas may have some advantages over CO2, but the costs may be higher.
Malpractice in immobilization of livestock
The aim of rendering slaughter animals unconscious prior to bleeding is in good slaughterhouse practice achieved by using captive bolt pistols, electrical tongs or CO2-gas. For the immobilization of bovines and pigs a blow to the skull with a large-sized hammer used to be a wide-spread method and is still being practised, in particular in developing countries. The method requires only manual force, no maintenance of equipment or spares as cartridges, and is therefore cheap (Fig. 66).
A blow with the hammer is certainly preferable to no pre-stunning, but it requires a skilled operator. Very often additional blows are needed, if the animal was not hit properly. The hammer method is prone to a high failure rate and should be replaced wherever possible by one of the above-mentioned stunning methods. Particular malpractice can be observed in pig slaughter, when a number of pigs are driven into a stunning pen and indiscriminately treated with hammer blows. Because they move around, many animals are not hit efficiently; they need additional blows or arrive fully conscious at bleeding (Fig. 66, 67).
Fig. 65: Runway and entrance to a CO2-tunnel
Fig. 66: Pre-stunning of buffalo through blow with a hammer
In many places in the developing world, immobilization of large ruminants (cattle, buffalo) is still carried out through the use of a sharp, pointed knife sometimes called a puntilla or Spanish pike (Fig. 68, 69). The knife is used to sever the spinal cord through the space (Foramen magnum) between the skull and neck position of the backbone. Upon inserting the knife and severing the spinal cord, the animal will collapse. It remains immobilized and the operators have easy access; however, the animals remain conscious until bleeding is complete. This practice should be discontinued, as it is not humane.
An equally inhumane method of immobilization of large animals involves severing the Achilles’ tendons, which lead to the collapse of the animal. This practice can in particular be observed in camel slaughterhouses. In camel slaughtering it can also be observed that the animals are immobilized by bending the joints of the fore- and hind legs through tying thin wires around. This forces the animals into a painful sitting position. They may be kept like this for many hours before they are slaughtered.
Malpractice can also be observed in the use of electricity for stunning purposes. Electrical tongs can certainly be fabricated through local engineering work in developing countries, but it is essential that the electrical parameters required for efficient and humane stunning be achieved. Stunning tongs without transformers, using the voltage of the mains not only cause a great deal of suffering but also produce inferior meat quality (Fig. 70).
Absolutely unacceptable are practices using electrical wires attached to the limbs and necks of the animals and inflicting an electrical shock on the animal through connecting to the mains current. Similarly, devices resembling mains-current operated prodders (Fig. 7) but using high voltage, which are utilised for “stunning” of cattle, are inhumane. Moreover, they spoil the meat and damage the skins.
One tormenting method of immobilizing pigs is practised in some Asian countries. Pigs, when moving them from the farms to the slaughterhouses, are forced into crates made of steel bars. These crates can accommodate one pig but do practically not allow any movements upon arrival at the abattoir; the crates are piled one on top of each other. Pigs are kept waiting inside the crate for hours without water and ventilation. Finally the bleeding without stunning is carried out with the pig still in this position (Fig. 71).
Fig. 68: Puntilla for immobilization of large livestock
Fig. 69: Puntilla for immobilization of large livestock
Fig. 70: Makeshift electric stunning tongs
Fig. 71: Bleeding of pigs in crates by using a knife with long handle
Religious or ritual slaughter (Halal and Kosher)
Most developed and many developing countries of the world require by law an animal to be rendered unconscious before it is slaughtered. This is in order to ensure that the animal does not suffer pain during slaughter. However, exceptions are made for the Jewish (Kosher) and Muslim (Halal) slaughter of livestock. Here stunning generally is not allowed and the animal is bled directly using a sharp knife to cut the throat and sever the main blood vessels. This results in sudden and massive loss of blood with loss of consciousness and death. However, many authorities consider that religious slaughter can be very unsatisfactory and that the animal may not be rendered unconscious and suffer considerable discomfort and pain in the slaughter process.
A number of factors must be given serious consideration before this type of slaughter is acceptable: –
1. Animals that are slaughtered according to Kosher or Halal requirements should be securely restrained, particularly the head and neck, before cutting the throat. Movement results in a poor cut, bad bleeding, slow loss of consciousness (if at all) and pain. This has serious implications for animal welfare. The knife that is used to cut the throat and the carotid and jugular blood vessels must be razor sharp and without blemishes and damage. This is to ensure a swift, smooth cut across the throat behind the jaw and to ensure immediate and maximum gush of blood. Poor bleeding causes slow loss of consciousness and reduces meat quality.
2. Animals should not be shackled and hoisted before bleeding. This causes them severe discomfort and stress. Hoisting should be done only after the animal has lost consciousness Restraining equipment should be comfortable for the animal.
3. Operator competence is of great importance in order to carry out satisfactory religious slaughter, and the authorities should license all slaughter personnel. A poor technique will result in great suffering and cruelty to the animal. Religious slaughter should be carried out paying attention to detail and ensuring the method, equipment and operators are correct. The slaughter process is slow.
The captive bolt gun is suitable for this stunning when using the mushroom shaped head of the bolt (Fig. 55). The mushroom gun is an improvement on the plain bolt, as this bolt does not penetrate the brain and cause death. This should be more acceptable to the religious authorities, and its use would encourage more humane slaughter amongst Muslims in developing countries, thereby improving animal welfare.
Fortunately, many Muslim authorities accept some forms of pre-slaughter stunning. Many Muslim authorities permit electric stunning of cattle, sheep and poultry, whose meat is destined for Muslim communities, because the animals subjected to this stunning method would recover if no bleeding was carried out. Electric stunning is also the method of choice in meat exporting countries where stunning of slaughter animals is required by law, for export to Muslim countries. Similarly, Muslim minorities in countries with stringent animal welfare regulations are allowed to use Halal slaughter methods, but in combination with electrical stunning.
Any kind of prestunning for livestock to be slaughtered according to the Jewish Kosher method has not yet been accepted.
Bleeding
Bleeding is the part of the slaughter process where the main blood vessels of the neck are severed in order to allow blood to drain from the carcass, resulting in the death of the animal from cerebral anoxia. The bleeding knife should continuously be sharpened. A blunt knife will prolong the incision and the cut ends of the blood vessels will be damaged. This may cause premature clotting and blockage of the vessels, delaying bleeding out and prolonging the onset of unconsciousness and insensitivity. Incisions should be swift and precise. In poultry, sheep, goats and ostriches, the throat is cut behind the jaw (Figs. 72, 73, 74).
Fig. 73: Incision for bleeding sheep
Fig. 74: Incision for bleeding ostriches
The standard method for the bleeding of cattle is to open the skin at the neck between brisket and jaw through a 30-cm longitudinal cut. Then, for hygienic reasons, a clean knife should be used and inserted at a 45° angle (Fig. 75) in order to sever the jugular and carotid vessels.
In pigs, a longitudinal bleeding stick is made into the chest to sever the deep vessels (Fig. 76).
For all cuts, the jugular and carotid vessels should be completely severed. If all vessels are not cut, bleeding may be incomplete, causing excessive retention of blood in the tissue, which can result in early spoilage of meat.
A minimum of delay is required between stunning and bleeding for two reasons:
a. A prolonged delay in bleeding may result in a level of consciousness being regained particularly where animals have been stunned electrically. For example, poultry stunned electrically may regain consciousness within 1-3 minutes. Generally, bleeding of poultry should commence within 15 seconds of stunning. For other livestock, the interval between stunning and sticking/bleeding should also be kept very short. Periods of less than one minute are desirable (Fig. 77).
b. Delayed bleeding will result in an increase of blood pressure, and blood vessels will rupture, causing muscle haemorrhage. This extra blood in the tissue will cause the meat to decompose more quickly, resulting in waste of meat.
Fig. 75: Incision for bleeding cattle
Fig. 76: Incision for bleeding pigs
Fig. 77: Good arrangement for stunning and immediate bleeding of pigs at medium-sized abattoir
Determining insensibility at slaughter
It is important to be able to determine if an animal has become insensible after stunning, as the bleeding and dressing operations must not begin until complete stunning has been achieved.
When cattle, sheep, goats and pigs are stunned using a captive bolt, the animal should collapse immediately. Regular breathing should cease. There should be no corneal or blink reflex, if the eye is touched. These signs of insensibility should be looked for before bleeding commences, usually when the carcass is hanging on the bleeding rail.
In electrically stunned sheep, goats, pigs and ostriches, a “grand mal”6 seizure is induced which causes instant unconsciousness. This results in rigid spasms, which can last for up to 30 seconds. The animal should not be evaluated for insensibility until at least 30 seconds after electrical stunning. At no time after stunning should the animal vocalise (squeal, moo or bellow). Vocalising is a sign that the animal can still feel pain. It is normal to have leg-kicking reflexes in an animal that has been properly stunned with electricity, captive bolt or gunshot. If the animal has kicking reflexes, the head should flop like a rag doll. If it makes an attempt to raise its head, it may still be sensible. An animal showing a righting reflex must immediately be re-stunned.
6 A “grand mal” seizure is a severe form of epilepsy characterized by paroxysmal transient disturbances of the electrical activity of the brain. This results in periodic recurrent convulsions of the body or “epileptic fit”.
The person assessing insensibility should concentrate on looking at the head and ignore kicking limbs. Gasping is permissible: it is a sign of a dying brain. If the tongue is hanging straight down, limp and floppy, the animal is definitely stunned: if it is curled this is a sign of possible sensibility.
The heads of poultry that have been stunned with electricity should hang straight down after stunning. Birds that have not been properly stunned will show a strong righting reflex and raise their heads.
Dee Wagner-Hinkle
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