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Kosher for Consumers
Useful articles and interesting information about Keeping Kosher and Kosher Supervision.
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Passover 2008: A Blend of the Old and the New
When Jews sit down to the seder on April 19 and 20, chances are that the set table will have a very traditional look. There will be the seder plates, the cups for the wine, the elegant flatware and dishes and so forth. But when the meal begins, the foods that are served may be reflecting some of the new products that have been introduced in recent years. For example, even the Kedem grape juice could be a dietetic version that has far less sugar than the traditional grape juice. The matzos may be spelt or whole wheat, the gefilte fish without sugar, and, of course, Diet Coke.
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The Monk’s Tale: Frangelico Liqueur from Italy Has a Distinctive Bottle and a Distinctive Taste
An OU Kosher monk? Yes, indeed. At least an OU Kosher bottle shaped like a monk. That’s the story of Frangelico. Frangelico is a premium Italian liqueur with the irresistible flavor of hazelnuts. Consumers in the United States and around the world enjoy it both as a traditional liqueur -- straight, over ice or with/in coffee -- and as a fashionable and versatile cocktail ingredient. The distinctive monk-shaped bottle – bearing the OU symbol -- with its hand-tied rope waistband, is an immediate clue to Frangelico’s fascinating origins in the Piedmont hills in northern Italy. There, in the 17th century, a legendary hermit named Fr. Angelico used fine local ingredients to create a unique liqueur made from the local hazelnuts that grew in profusion.
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It’s Not Child’s Play: Providing Kosher Ingredients for Baby Formula Required a Journey to Rural
In the remote Irish town of Ballyragget, in County Kilkenney near the city of the same name, two OU Kosher experts, Rabbis Abraham Juravel and Yisroel Hollander, working with plant personnel, quickly kosherized the plant of Glanbia Ingredient Ireland – GII – the largest dairy ingredients business in Ireland, and manufacturers of ingredients for a whole range of products.
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Dear Rabbi, What is involved in the OU certification of vodka? The Orthodox Union receives many inquiries about certification of vodka. This is a typical response, as written by Rabbi Nahum Rabinowitz, Senior Rabbinic Coordinator.
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Stolichnaya® Sets the Standard for Vodka Production and for OU Kosher Certification
Think of Russia and what comes to mind? The huge size of the country, the vast steppes, Moscow and St. Petersburg, freezing winters – and of course, vodka. Stolichnaya® has established itself as the most trusted name in vodka, guaranteeing Russian authenticity and quality in each bottle. Decades after the brand’s birth, Stoli® remains the best selling Russian vodka in the United States, valued because it is produced to the highest standards of Russian vodka production.
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At Martek, Quality Assurance and OU Kosher Certification Go Hand in Hand
When I first met with Ms. Susan Patton, Director of Quality Assurance of Martek Bioscience in Winchester, KY in its original flagship manufacturing plant, I had the feeling that the relationship between Martek and the OU for kosher certification would be a natural fit. It is now commonly accepted by experts that the best nutrition source for a developing infant was set up by the Good Lord himself. Mother’s milk contains a host of nutrients which promote development in all areas, including growth; antibodies which give immunity to many diseases; together with brain development and the better likelihood of living a long, healthy and productive life. Even the containers of the leading infant formulas point out that when possible, breast feeding is the best way to provide health and nutrition to the developing infant.
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Martek Makes its Mark in Biosciences with Help of OU Kosher Certification
Martek Bioscience Corporation is committed to the development of life-science-based products that promote health and well-being throughout life. Martek’s products were developed from research and technology that evolved following research into the beneficial use of algae in long-term space flight. The scientists involved in this early research came to believe that algae represented a virtually untapped resource that could be screened for a variety of applications to greatly benefit human health. Fueled by these discoveries, these visionary scientists formed Martek Biosciences Corporation in Columbia, MD in 1985.
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The Power of Imagination Brings Inspirational and Healthy Eating To Passover
No question – food has always played an essential role in the celebration of Jewish holidays. But when it comes to Passover, it takes an extra dose of vigilance and knowledge to keep all the season’s meticulous kosher laws properly. Those companies involved in the production of kosher-for-Passover products have learned that, in order to keep the eight days of highly restrictive eating interesting, they’ve had to crank up their creativity. Thanks to modern-day food technology, the past decade of Passover offerings have been plentiful – and innovative.
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The Hebrew language name for the holiday of Passover – Pesach -- conveys conversation, with “Pe” meaning mouth and “sach” connoting speaking or conversing. The matzah referred to as lechem oni, poor man’s bread, is seen not simply as a food consumed when hastily leaving Egypt, but as a medium for discussion and elaboration on countless Passover themes. The Bible instructs that we verbally communicate to our children on Passover night and tell them about the most consequential event in the annals of Jewish history. An actual and active dialogue must be at the core of the Passover experience, with the children as the focus of that life experience. The Haggadah text was specifically created as the vehicle through which all can be told and explained. There is no genuine Passover experience without adequate and meaningful conversation, discussion, analysis and talking. On Passover night silence is not a virtue; as a matter of fact, the more prolonged the discussion and conversation is on this night, the greater the reward. In short, on Passover, we talk it up.
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China Goes Kosher: Major Media Positions OU as Worldwide Leader
It’s the “largest certification organization in the world,” the “most widely accepted,” “the most respected,” and the “leader in the field.” It’s perceived to be “the standard,” and among key consumer groups, “the safest,” “the cleanest,” “most reliable” and “trustworthy.” It’s the symbol, by a wide margin, that is top-of-mind when the consumer thinks “kosher certification.”
