Consumer Kosher Articles

Why the OU Bugged a Mathematician or Why I’m Going to Think Twice Before Buying any Packaged Product

Did you know that when you purchase packaged fruits and vegetables, you are buying food that may contain bugs? They’re not listed on the label. You never see it mentioned on TV commercials and in newspaper advertisements. But they might be in there.

Here’s the Buzz on Certifying Veggies as Insect-Free

Vegetables have forever been a basic staple of a person’s diet. Rich in fiber and vitamins, God’s gift to mankind is essential to maintaining one’s health. Unexpectedly, certain types of vegetables also provide a good source of protein. Vegetables rich in protein are those that provide a safe haven for insects, with the protein found in the insect itself. This trend has made the kosher certification of vegetables highly challenging. Insects are naturally found in the environment and in farm fields. However, kosher law strictly prohibits the consumption of insects.

Gluten-Intolerance, Celiac, and Allergies on Pesach

Pesach Kashrus professionals are familiar with the intricacies of ingredients and food production. Often, consumers who have health concerns contact kashrus agencies in order to obtain information about foods and ingredients. This is especially true when it comes to Pesach. Before Pesach, the consumer information lines at the major Kashrus agencies are constantly ringing. Many of these consumers ask question about Pesach and their health needs. This article will discuss some of the ways in which Pesach certified foods may impact on health issues. However, it is important to note that kashrus agencies and Rabbonim are not health specialists. Persons who need guidance with respect to health matters should obtain advice from qualified health specialists, not from kashrus agencies.

Infant Formula For Pesach

HaModia, March 29, 2006

Once, not long ago, executives of a global health-nutritional manufacturing company met with representatives of a kosher certifying agency. One of the topics the certifying agency was keen on raising was the Jewish community’s need for Passover certified infant formulas. Outside of Israel few, if any, infant formulas are produced and certified specifically for Passover. Would the health nutrition company, already certified kosher for its infant formulas year-round by the agency, be interested in producing a Passover certified product? After discussing the measures that would need to be taken to certify the product for Pesach, the executives were not willing to commit to the project. The economic incentive for producing a special Passover infant formula did not, apparently, justify the disruption in standard production nor the limitations on ingredients suppliers the manufacturer would have to accommodate.

The Great Matzah Controversy – Or, Should Matzah Be Made By Hand Or Machine?

Dating back to the time of Moses, the practice had always been to make matzah by hand. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution in the first half of the nineteenth century, however, things changed. In France, in 1838, Isaac Singer invented the first machine for baking matzah.

Cholov Yisroel

Milk and dairy products are increasingly available with cholov Yisroel certification. This article will explain what cholov Yisroel means and how facilities operate in order to produce cholov Yisroel. Let’s take a look.

Industrial Bakeries

The most fundamental aspect of supervision is to ensure that all ingredients meet the kashrus requirements of the kashrus agency. Baking companies use a vast number of ingredients, more than most other industry. In addition to the obvious and somewhat innocuous use of basic flours, the full range of ingredients requiring intense certification is used. For example: oils and shortening, egg products, emulsifiers, flavors and enzymes. Product formulas must be reviewed and monitored to make sure than no pareve products contain dairy ingredients.

Eight Points To Remember When Looking For The Kosher Symbol

In order to assist you, our customer, benefit from the OU kosher certification, the OU would like to present eight points to remember when purchasing the products we certify.

“In The Bag”: Kosher Certification Of Bagged Salad

One of the great conveniences today enjoyed by the food consumer is bagged fresh salads. Washed, mixed, and nicely packaged, these products eliminate the annoyance of salad preparation and are just waiting to grace one’s table. However, nowadays even seemingly innocuous products must require kosher supervision. Bagged fresh salads are not immune to this phenomenon, as Rabbanim Hamachshirim and kosher agencies face the challenge of certifying these products as insect-free.

The New China: Booming Economy, Growing OU Presence

Approximately twenty-five years ago, the Chinese government decided to remake the country. China was up to that point a completely Stalinist-Maoist economy, wallowing in poverty, despite the fact that it is the world’s third largest country, blessed with various climates and abundant natural resources.