OU Medical Marijuana Statement
Recently, the OU granted certification to pharmaceutical-grade medical marijuana extract products manufactured by Vireo Health of New York. There has been much confusion and misinformation about these products, and the OU has received numerous communications expressing surprise about the OU decision to grant certification to marijuana products. Two main concerns have been expressed: a) OU endorsement […]
ASK OU Shiurim Now Available for Online Viewing
Orthodox Union kashrus experts returned to Brooklyn on Sunday evening January 3, 2016 and provided a large crowd of men and women with a high-level shiur on various aspects of kashrus. The program, one in a continuing series of Harry H. Beren ASK OU OUTREACH sessions, was held at Agudas Yisroel Bais Binyomin. Following greetings by the Mora […]
The Heat Is On: The Rise of Sriracha Sauce, and Its Ubiquity In Kosher Products
As BTUS readers are well aware, kosher tastes have evolved significantly from those depicted in yesteryear’s renditions of traditional Jewish fare. As kosher has become mainstream for consumer products not targeted specifically for an ethnic audience, the need for manufacturers to accommodate new tastes into kosher has been something we at OU Kosher are well […]
What Could Be Wrong With the “K?”
A number of years ago, an OU-certified company requested authorization to use “Charlie’s Bread Crumbs” in their product. Since a “K” was prominently displayed on the bread crumb label, I called the Charlie company to inquire which rabbi provided their kosher supervision. Mr. Johnson politely advised me that they were under the strict supervision of […]
Pass the Latkes!
My mother a”h used to fry everything. Potatoes, meatballs, chicken, veal—you name it! If it could be batter dipped, even better! Even today, when I smell fried foods my mouth begins to water. As an adult who is somewhat health conscious, I generally do not eat fried foods. Don’t get me wrong: fried foods are […]
OU KOSHER Returns To Brooklyn With Program At Agudas Yisroel Bais Binyomin Featuring Rabbis Genack, Elefant and Fuchs: Bedikas Toyloim Guide to be Distributed
Orthodox Union kashrus experts will return to Brooklyn on Sunday evening January 3, 2016 to provide an expected large crowd of men and women with a high-level shiur on various aspects of kashrus. The program, one in a continuing series of Harry H. Beren ASK OU OUTREACH sessions, will be held at 8:00 p.m. at […]
Kosher Upgrade Wash or ‘Kosherization’ Wash
OU certified kosher upgrade wash facilities provide their customers with the highest quality washes to meet their needs. Two types of kosher washes service are provided by a certified wash facility: 1) Kosher Maintenance Wash 2) Kosher Upgrade, or ‘Kosherization’ Wash When is ‘kosherization’ necessary? ‘Kosherization’ is the process of bringing a vessel that was […]
Kosher Maintenance Wash
Kosher Maintenance Wash OU certified kosher maintenance wash facilities provide their customers with the highest quality washes to meet their needs. Two types of kosher washes service are provided by a certified wash facility: 1) Kosher Maintenance Wash 2) Kosher Upgrade, or ‘Kosherization’ Wash Every OU certified wash facility is authorized to perform kosher maintenance […]
OU Railcar Kosherization Protocols
The information below outlines the necessary procedures for railcar kosherization of railcars. “Kosherization” is a particular temperature-specific procedure required for railcars previously hauling non-kosher to qualify to haul kosher product. The presence of an OU field rabbi is typically required for procedure verification. Please contact your Rabbinic Coordinator, Rabbi Twersky, at 212-613-8388 or at twerskyy@ou.org […]
What Could Be Wrong With…The Supervision of Rabbi So-and-So?
Many people believe that all rabbis who provide supervision can be presumed to be equally reliable. This great leap of faith is not rooted in reality nor is it a reasonable assumption to make. We would not entrust our physical well-being to any surgeon who is licensed to perform operations. Why should we entrust our […]