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.
Martek Makes its Mark in Biosciences with the 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.
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.
Editor’s Letter (BTUS Spring 2008)
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.
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.”
What You Need to Know When Passover Arrives on Saturday Night
Every year, Jews around the world anticipate hearing the pivotal four questions at their seder tables: this year they’ll be asking themselves a fifth one: Why is this Passover different from most others?
This year, Passover arrives immediately following Shabbat – a rare occurrence that creates unique circumstances, directly affecting the typical Passover preparations. (You may remember that this last occurred back in 2005. Take heart, it will not recur until 2021.) The key adjustments may sound daunting at first, but taken step by step, they are definitely doable.
Chametz She’avar Alav HaPesach
The general rule is that any chametz for which a Jew violated the Biblical prohibitions of Bal Yiraeh U’bal Yimatzei becomes forbidden forever as chametz she’avar alav ha-Pesach. This penalty applies whether the transgression was violated knowingly or unknowingly, and even if the Jew was completely unaware of the prohibitions of chametz or the Yom Tov of Pesach .
A Milestone for Kosher Tidbits: OU Series Announces its 100th Program
Just in time for the Torah portion of Shemini, to be read March 29 and which introduces the laws of kosher, OU Kosher will celebrate the production of the 100th and 101st Kosher Tidbits, the comprehensive series of 15-minute broadcasts by OU experts on a wide variety of kosher topics, and heard on http://www.ouradio.org.
The century mark is reached by a program on Shemittah, the sabbatical year in Israel, recorded by Rabbi Moshe Elefant, Chief Operating Officer of OU Kosher; and the 101st on non-kosher kitchens, by Rabbi Eliyahu Ferrell, Rabbinic Consultant.
Q&A Pre-Passover Webcast on OU Website
In anticipation of the Passover holiday and its complexities, the Orthodox Union Kosher Division announced today that it will present a pre-Passover webcast on the OU website, http://www.ou.org/ouradio/webcast, to clarify questions and concerns people are facing in their preparations. It will be held Thursday, March 27, at 3:00 p.m. with log-on time at 2:45 p.m. The webcast is part of OU Kosher’s continued and ever-growing educational outreach to the community, which includes the OU Kosher Coming to Schools and Communities programs and the Kosher Tidbits postings on OU Radio, http://www.ouradio.org.
In Largest Liquor Kosher Certification in U.S., DeKuyper® 60-Flavor Line Liqueurs Receives OU Symbol
The close relationship between OU Kosher and Cincinnati-based Beam Global Spirits and Wine, which goes back to 1992, became even closer in March, 2008 when Beam’s 60-flavor array of DeKuyper® cordials and liqueurs, the best-selling line of those products in the United States, was certified OU Kosher. The 60-product certification was the largest liquor kosher certification ever in the United States.
In late 2006, the OU announced that it was certifying Beam’s Starbucks™ Coffee Liqueur and Starbucks™ Cream Liqueur products; it already was providing the famed OU symbol to Leroux® Liqueurs. All of these products are crafted at the Beam Global Cincinnati facility. According to the OU, that facility produces the largest number of kosher certified spirits in the country.