Phyllis Koegel

As the Marketing Director for OU Kosher, the world’s leading Kosher certifying agency, Phyllis is responsible for the marketing and new business development by assisting food producers worldwide obtain OU Kosher certification for their products. Phyllis developed an early passion for consumer behavior and marketing. She joined the Orthodox Union in 2006 after serving as Marketing Manager for Sabra Hummus. At Sabra Hummus, she helped launch the hummus category to the American market. Hummus became a staple in American households and grew to a billion-dollar food category. Sabra Hummus was purchased by Pepsico in 2008 and has grown to over $1 billion in annual sales. Prior to joining Sabra, Phyllis was involved in the development and success of the International Kosherfest Trade show. As Show Director from 1989 – 2002, she worked with thousands of Kosher food manufacturers and oversaw the strategic planning and execution of the show. Phyllis was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. She obtained an MBA in Marketing from Pace University in 1988. She now lives in Woodmere, N.Y. and has three children and sixteen grandchildren.

Top 10 Most Valuable Food Brands of 2025: OU Kosher Brands at the Center

Brand Finance has released its annual ranking of the world’s most valuable food brands, and the 2025 list shows the growing power of brands that carry OU Kosher certification. Of the top ten food companies worldwide, five are certified by the Orthodox Union, including Nestlé, which once again claims the #1 position. In a global […]

Conagra’s 2025 Snacking Report: OU Kosher Products at the Center of Key Trends

Conagra Brands’ new Future of Snacking 2025 report identifies five major trends shaping the $148.6 billion U.S. snacking industry. From bold new flavors to snacks that are easy to carry and eat on the go, the report shows how quickly consumer tastes are changing and how brands are working to keep pace. With snacks now […]

Capital on the Move: Major 2025 Investments by OU Kosher Certified Companies

The global food industry in 2025 is experiencing a wave of capital investment—not just in physical infrastructure like plants and distribution centers, but also in technology, sustainability, and food safety systems. This surge is driven by shifting consumer preferences, the need for resilient supply chains, and tighter regulatory demands. Both established players and ambitious startups […]

FDA Updates Labeling Compliance Program — What It Means for OU Kosher-Certified Facilities

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a major update to its general food labeling compliance program. The revised program, Compliance Program 7321.005, replaces the 2010 version and is now titled “General Food Labeling Requirements and Labeling-Related Sample Analysis — Domestic and Import.” It reflects the FDA’s current regulations, inspection priorities, and enforcement […]

Tariffs Are Driving Up Ingredient Prices—OU Kosher Helps You Stay Ahead

With the return of Trump-era tariffs and new duties on Chinese imports—including spices, preservatives, and food colors—ingredient costs are climbing fast. U.S. food manufacturers, especially those using garlic, ginger, turmeric, and shelf-stable additives, are seeing new pricing pressure just as they recover from pandemic-era disruptions. “Spices have already seen price increases due to rising freight […]

OU Kosher’s Ingredient Database Offers Help with Supply Chain Resilience in 2025

The OU Kosher ingredient database is one of the largest resources of its kind, containing information on millions of kosher-approved products and ingredients sourced from both OU and trusted partner agencies. Certified companies can access this comprehensive database through OU Direct, the OU’s secure online portal. The pandemic brought global supply chain vulnerabilities into sharp […]

OU Kosher Certified Plant-Based Powerhouses Chart Three Paths to Profitable Growth

The plant-based industry’s wild ride from explosive growth to market correction has separated the survivors from the casualties. While some companies retreated or folded, three OU Kosher certified leaders doubled down on dramatically different strategies—and all three are winning. SunOpta bet big on infrastructure when others pulled back, investing nearly $200 million in new capacity […]

Navigating Supply Chain Challenges: OU Kosher’s Role in a Shifting Global Landscape

The term “supply chain” was once confined to logistics professionals, economists, and policymakers. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, and recent developments—such as new tariffs and the push for nearshoring—have added layers of complexity. For kosher-certified companies, these disruptions can significantly impact production, particularly when sourcing compliant ingredients. To help OU […]

Celebrity Brands Embrace OU Kosher Certification as Mainstream Market Strategy

The Latest Celebrity Launch Khloé Kardashian’s new protein popcorn line, Khloud, hit Target shelves last month with OU Kosher certification featured alongside its other “better-for-you” credentials—marking the latest celebrity brand to embrace kosher as a mainstream selling point. Kardashian, known for her role on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and various business ventures like Good […]

Turn It Around: How Malk Made Ingredient Transparency Their Winning Strategy

Most food brands focus their marketing on the front panel – beautiful designs, bold claims, and eye-catching graphics. The ingredient list on the back? That’s typically viewed as a necessary regulatory requirement, not a selling point. But what if a company was so confident in their ingredients that they built their entire marketing campaign around […]

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