About ASK OU
As the leader in worldwide kosher certification, the Orthodox Union takes additional steps to serve as a leader in educating the public in matters of kosher law. Over the past several years, OU Kosher, in partnership with the Harry H. Beren Foundation of New Jersey, has developed numerous kashrus educational programs for the benefit of […]
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 […]
OU Kosher Beer Announcement
New ingredients and modern brewing processes have changed the kosher status of beer. OU Kosher COO Rabbi Moshe Elefant explains why the OU, together with other major kashrut certification agencies, has updated its policies on how restaurants serve kosher beer. View the list of nearly 1,000 currently certifies beers and breweries.
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 […]