Stonyfield Farms: An OU Rabbi’s Dream Company
In my periodic visits to Stonyfield Farms over the years, I cannot help noticing the remarkable growth of the manufacturing facility and the impressive expansion of the product line with creative new yogurt products. Fortunately, while the company grew, it also maintained the wholesome nature of its products and continued to develop and produce yogurt […]
Leaving No Stone Unturned At… Stonyfield Farm
WHEN a certifying rabbi first paid a visit to Stonyfield Farm, he tramped through the mud of rural New Hampshire to do it. He also got somewhat lost. That was back in 1984 when the yogurt company consisted of “seven cows and a good yogurt recipe.” Stonyfield Farm was located in rural Wilton, New Hampshire […]
Culture For The Masses: The Complexities of Kosher Yogurt Certification
Yogurt was first produced thousands of years ago. Dairy history and legend indicate that yogurt originated in Iran or Turkey. One story has it that an ancient Turk was carrying milk in his goatskin for some time, when he noticed that the substance had developed into a thick, creamy mass. This new product was referred […]
Marketing Tips: If You’ve Got It – Flaunt It
Letting your customers know that you are OU-certified should be as much a part of your marketing strategy as any other significant benefit your product offers. Be sure the OU logo is clearly visible in your advertising—either on the product label or elsewhere in the ad. Feature OU certification on your website. Ask our marketing […]
Nothing Fishy Here: Beyond The Four-Year Process At Ocean Nutrition To Make Fish Oil Kosher
The task of kosher certification for such an endeavor was not for the faint of heart. Those of us working in the field of kosher certification at the Orthodox Union have the distinct opportunity (and obligation) to be on top of new technologies, and new developments in food production. Long before Omega-3s were front-page news […]
The Health Benefits Of Fish Without The Fish
Now Kosher, MEG-3 ™ Brand Omega-3 Powder and Fish Oil Offer Food and Supplement Companies an Explosive Opportunity OCEAN NUTRITION CANADA LTD. (ONC) isn’t just riding the Omega-3 ingredient wave; it is leading the way. Most people are not getting enough Omega-3 in their diets – 130mg per day on average compared to the American […]
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Plant (Part 2)
Sometimes we don’t know our life’s calling until it calls on us. That’s the way it happened for Rabbinic Field Representative (RFR). Cleveland born, Rabbi Nathanson earned his Master’s in Public Health from Tulane, University in New Orleans and decided to stay. The OU and thousands of kosher consumers are glad he did. Rabbi Nathanson […]
The Consumer’s Role In Kashrus: Is Your Light On Or Off?
It was a hot summer night when Chaim entered his local ice cream store, Great Taste Ice Cream Parlor, with the intention of purchasing his favorite treat, a medium-sized cup of Rocky Road ice cream with chocolate sprinkles. Chaim had frequented this nationally kosher certified franchise both locally and out-of-town based on a list that […]
The Kashrus Of Pickled Herring
Have you ever noticed that when herring is served at a kiddush or during shalosh seudos, not only does the herring not have fins or scales, it often doesn’t even have its telltale skin? What identifies the herring as kosher fish? The answer is, of course, that originally there was a skin on the herring, […]
Kashrus Supervision At Hotel Affairs
Over the past few years there has been an increase in the number of functions catered at non kosher hotels. Catering in these facilities creates many more kashrus concerns for the kosher certifying agencies supervising them. Sometimes, as many as three or four vigilant, professional mashgichim are needed to ensure that no requirement of kashrus is being overlooked. Whatever the number may be, there is much more involved than meets the eye. The guest enjoying a luxurious smorgasbord at these affairs really has little idea of the kashrus supervision involved. The following are some of the behind-the-scenes preparations that go into making sure that not only is the presentation of the food impeccable but the kashrus is as well.