The Kosher Certification Process
What Food Manufacturers Need to Know About Going Kosher
Originally published on ProFoodWorld.com, Chief Operating Officer of OU Kosher, Rabbi Moshe Elefant, explains how food manufacturers can often achieve certification with minimal changes to their processes and ingredients. Learn how this investment can expand your market share and boost sales. Keeping kosher is an ancient set of stringent dietary laws, derived from the Bible […]
Exporting to the US Market: The Value of OU Kosher Certification in the Global Market
The American Market: A Tapestry of Global Tastes The United States, a tapestry of cultures and cuisines, presents a unique marketplace for global food producers. With around 15% of its food supply being imported, the U.S. offers a canvas of diverse tastes and preferences. However, this diversity isn’t just about variety; it demands meticulous oversight, […]
Demystifying OU-D : Why Consumers Care
Knowing that a product may have dairy ingredients can be especially important to allergic individuals, for whom consuming even the smallest dairy ingredient can have dire consequences. In addition, a product’s flavors may contain dairy, even in such small amounts that you won’t see that reflected on the label. Due to the importance of flavor […]
Rabbi Daniel Sharratt Answers Questions on Certifying Companies
There are many certifications you may want to feature on your product, depending on what’s appropriate like Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, nut-free and more. But a food certification that’s been around longer than any of these is the Kosher one. Rabbi Daniel Sharratt, Rabbinic coordinator for Orthodox Union, a Kosher certification agency based in New York whose […]
OU Kosher Symbols Explained
A complete list of all of the OU Symbols and their meaning.
Dream Team: Company Kosher Contacts Are An Important Component Of The OU Team
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines teamwork as “work performed by several associates, each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole.” At the OU, we try to work together as a team to come up with unique solutions to the unique challenges that kosher certification presents. But before one can talk about teamwork, one must first define the team. The OU team is not only comprised of the Rabbinic Field Representatives (RFRs), Rabbinic Coordinators (RCs), Kosher Law Advisory Board and support staff, but also includes a key component, our partners at the various companies; specifically our kosher contacts. It is often their experience and ingenuity that overcomes the challenges to create the solutions.
Your RFR: Your OU Kosher Customer Service Agent
As an OU certified company, the primary contact you have with the OU, besides your rabbinic coordinator (RC) at OU headquarters, is your RFR (rabbinic field representative). Out in the field, the RFR is the face of the OU, and you may not be aware that your RFR is both a valuable source of information and can provide service that you should be aware of — and avail yourself of.
Many company reps who are assigned to work with the OU Kosher program are not fully aware of the tools that are at their disposal or what assistance can be obtained from their friendly visiting RFR. You are no doubt familiar with organic certifiers, government agencies (FDA, USDA, etc.), as well as third-party auditors like SQF, BRA and AIB. Kosher certification is a very different program, and your RFR also has a very different role compared to other auditors.
The Following Are the Orthodox Union Requirements For Placement Of The OU Certification Mark:
• The OU symbol may only be placed on products that have been authorized and certified as listed on your Schedule B (list of certified products). The OU D must be used on products certified as dairy.
It’s More Than Curds and Whey: OU KOSHER’s Dairy Expert Tells How To Kosherize A Cheese Company
Some time ago, I received the following letter:
As you know, I manage a cheese company, which manufactures kosher and non-kosher cheese, plus kosher whey powder. You are familiar with our equipment and how it needs to be kosherized, but my staff needs some education on this. Can you please explain the kosherization rules for the equipment so that I can share them with my staff? If you don’t mind, I would also appreciate if you could include a basic review of how the equipment works, so that new employees can also benefit from this.
Dear Rabbi… What are the Requirements to Have My Tanker Trailers OU-Certified?
Dear ____: Thank you for your interest in OU kosher certification of your tanker vessels. Kosher products can potentially lose their kosher status if stored in vessels without kosher status, hence the requirement for kosher verification of tanker transports. The kosher verification program of tankers involves the designation and dedication of tankers for kosher use. […]