Articles
OU Beer Policy for Food Service – Effective January 1, 2026
OU Kosher is updating its beer policy for all OU establishments and certified events. Beginning January 1, 2026, only beers with reliable kosher certification may be served, due to the growth of craft beers, flavored varieties, and shared equipment that can affect kosher status. The OU is joined by the OK and Star-K, along with […]
Automation at Scale, Assurance by Design: How OU Kosher Aligns Digital Production with Verified Compliance
Major manufacturers are pouring multi-billion-dollar budgets into digital production and logistics Major manufacturers are pouring multi-billion-dollar budgets into digital production and logistics—including OU Kosher certified brands and companies such as Oreo (Mondelez), Kellogg’s, Chobani, Coca-Cola, and PepsiCo. As plants add sensors, data historians, and automated workflows, OU Kosher is evolving with them. In many cases, […]
FSMA 204 Is the Story: How Retailers and OU Direct Are Raising the Traceability Bar
FSMA 204 (food traceability rule) is accelerating traceability requirements for high-risk foods. While the FDA has proposed extending compliance to July 2028, major retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Target—together representing over 10,000 OU kosher-certified products—are already demanding strict compliance with electronic record keeping. These retailers are leading the charge in raising traceability standards ahead of […]
From 1933 to Today: Why Lay’s Just Made Its Biggest Change in 100 Years
In October 2025, Lay’s unveiled what it calls the largest rebrand in its nearly 100-year history. The iconic yellow sun logo now radiates new energy through “Lay’s Rays.” The bags feature matte finishes and farm photography that underscore a simple message: these chips come from real potatoes. And with all the visual changes—new rays, new […]
Unlock the Passover Market: Your Products and Ingredients May Already Be Closer Than You Think
represents one of the highest-demand shopping periods of the year—and a major opportunity for both food manufacturers and ingredient suppliers. If your company produces gluten-free, clean-label, or kosher products and ingredients, you may already be closer than you think to meeting Passover certification standards. OU Kosher’s streamlined process can help manufacturers and suppliers qualify for […]
Remembering Orthodox Union (OU) Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt”l
Editor’s note & attribution:This interview was originally published by The Jewish Vues as “REMEMBERING ORTHODOX UNION (OU) EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RABBI MOSHE HAUER ZT”L — An Exclusive Interview with Rabbi Moshe Elefant,” posted on October 21. jewishvues.com An interview with Rabbi Moshe Elefant Last week, on Shemini Atzeret (a Jewish festival that concludes the Sukkot […]
To Reach Health-Conscious Consumers, Brands Seek Out Data-Driven Kosher Certification
By Rabbi Moshe Elefant, Chief Operating Officer of OU Kosher Key takeaways: Data-driven certification enables agility and market growth: Advanced ingredient databases now let manufacturers instantly verify or update kosher status, helping them adapt recipes quickly to meet evolving consumer preferences — like vegan, vegetarian, and clean-label trends — while maintaining compliance. Kosher certification broadens appeal to […]
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 […]
OU Kosher’s Women’s Seminar Offers Deep Dive into Kosher Certification
ASK OU 2025 Summer Women’s Kashrus Experience Attendees Gain Rare Insights into the Precision and Professionalism Behind OU Kosher’s Work As a cooking instructor, personal chef, and author of The Giving Table cookbook, Naomi Ross of Woodmere, New York, has been well-versed in recipe development and food preparation for years Thanks to a […]