Ask the Rabbi
Dear Rabbi:
Our plant processes and cans fruits and vegetables. The raw fruits and vegetables are of course all kosher. Why would I need to receive OU kosher certification; wouldn’t everyone know that my products are kosher? Can you explain what would be involved in attaining kosher certification for my plant?
Answer by Rabbi Leonard Steinberg
Tulkoff Food Products: 4 Generations of Food Products and Co-Packing Services
Tulkoff Food Products is a 4th generation family firm which began in Baltimore, Maryland in the early 1930s. Brothers Phil, Alec and Michael Tulkoff are 3rd generation. Their grandparents Harry and Lena Tulkoff began with a small grocery in Baltimore, Maryland before specializing in horseradish and then sauces. In 1959, Horseradish, was their first product certified by OU Kosher. Their father, the late Marty Tulkoff, expanded the firm in the late […]
OU Kosher Condemns European Court of Justice Ruling on Shechita
NEW YORK – OU Kosher, the world’s largest kosher food certification agency, today condemned the European Court of Justice’s affirmation of a Belgian law requiring stunning an animal prior to its slaughter which effectively serves as a ban on ritual animal slaughter for kosher and halal food. “The decision of the Court is an affront […]
Spices and Kashrus
From Daf HaKashrus by Rabbi Mordechai Stareshefsky The significance of Rosh Hashana and the Yemei Hadin does not lie merely in the fact that it is the first day of the year and it is when people are judged. As we are taught in the very first Mishnah in Rosh Hashana, it is the beginning […]
Rabbi Daniel Sharratt Answers Questions on Certifying Companies
There are many certifications you may want to feature on your product, depending on what’s appropriate like Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, nut-free and more. But a food certification that’s been around longer than any of these is the Kosher one. Rabbi Daniel Sharratt, Rabbinic coordinator for Orthodox Union, a Kosher certification agency based in New York whose […]
If you’re TRAVELING THIS SUMMER, you’ll need this Kosher guide to FOR FOOD & TRAVEL
With an expected surge in domestic travel this summer due to COVID-19, Orthodox Union (OU) Kosher, the world’s largest kosher certification agency, has launched a free online kosher food and travel guide to help Jews follow dietary and ritual observance while away from home. The guide offers a listing of kosher food products that one […]
Coronavirus Advisory
As we all confront the challenges brought about by the Coronavirus (COVID-19), all of us at the OU Kosher certification agency continue our mission to provide the highest level of Kosher certification. As the pandemic evolves, we are doing everything we can to assist our communities and customers worldwide. The following resources are available to […]
Morocco’s Legacy of Jewish-Muslim Coexistence
Influential American Rabbi Menachem Genack shares his personal connection to the Moroccan monarchy’s legacy of benevolence towards the Jewish community. Please read more here.
The Very Rapidly Evolving Kosher Beverage Industry
Companies all over the United States have been seeking kosher certification to provide kosher certified non-carbonated beverages to the large growing market of consumers who have asked for them. The growth of kosher certification for the beverage industry has provided a unique challenge to kashrus agencies, because beverage companies require a significant amount of involvement and scrutiny. Kashering demands a level of cooperation between the company, its workers and the kosher supervising staff because of an ongoing necessity to kasher between kosher and non-kosher products.
What If I Find A Dairy Spoon In My Meat Dishwasher?
What do we do when we find a dairy spoon in the meat dishwasher? These mixups happen! Rabbi Elefant explains what to do with the dishwasher, the meat dishes, and the rogue piece of dairy silverware.