News
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Mars Skittles are Now OU Kosher Certified
A Viral Celebration OU Kosher has just announced that Mars Skittles are certified kosher. The reaction has been instant and electric. For years, kosher consumers had been asking when the beloved candy would become available to them. Now, with the news, the kosher community has let out a collective cheer—and the excitement has spread worldwide. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Capital on the Move: Major 2025 Investments by OU Kosher Certified Companies
The global food industry in 2025 is experiencing a wave of capital investment—not just in physical infrastructure like plants and distribution centers, but also in technology, sustainability, and food safety systems. This surge is driven by shifting consumer preferences, the need for resilient supply chains, and tighter regulatory demands. Both established players and ambitious startups […]
FDA Updates Labeling Compliance Program — What It Means for OU Kosher-Certified Facilities
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a major update to its general food labeling compliance program. The revised program, Compliance Program 7321.005, replaces the 2010 version and is now titled “General Food Labeling Requirements and Labeling-Related Sample Analysis — Domestic and Import.” It reflects the FDA’s current regulations, inspection priorities, and enforcement […]
Tariffs Are Driving Up Ingredient Prices—OU Kosher Helps You Stay Ahead
With the return of Trump-era tariffs and new duties on Chinese imports—including spices, preservatives, and food colors—ingredient costs are climbing fast. U.S. food manufacturers, especially those using garlic, ginger, turmeric, and shelf-stable additives, are seeing new pricing pressure just as they recover from pandemic-era disruptions. “Spices have already seen price increases due to rising freight […]