How OU Kosher Resources Can Help Support Your Business Success

Are you, as a kosher-certified company, fully utilizing the resources that OU Kosher has to offer? The many opportunities provided by OU Kosher are tailored to help develop and grow your business. From marketing support to production insights and ingredient sourcing, the benefits extend far beyond certification.

Connecting with OU Kosher’s extensive network can enhance your brand’s visibility, influence, and impact within the worldwide kosher consumer market. If you’re not already taking advantage of these opportunities, now is the time to explore how OU Kosher’s unique positioning and expertise can contribute to your company’s success and growth.

Find out more about who’s who at the OU Kosher.

MARKETING SUPPORT

Connecting with Markets: OU Kosher’s Extensive Reach to Consumers and Businesses

Connecting with Markets: OU Kosher’s Broad Reach

Since its founding in 1898, the Orthodox Union (OU) has been a key organization connecting Jewish communities worldwide. OU Kosher, established in 1923, extends this mission by providing comprehensive marketing support for kosher-certified companies in both consumer and business-to-business (B2B) markets.

Reaching Consumer Markets

OU Kosher connects with a diverse audience across three continents and over 300 cities. Its efforts include:

Online and print publications: Reaching up to 150,000 readers quarterly.
Social media platforms: Engaging tens of thousands of followers.

Promoting Industrial Products

For B2B markets, OU Kosher supports industrial companies through:

A monthly industrial newsletter sent to 40,000 email addresses.
Showcasing products in kosher-certified ingredient searches.
Featuring company profiles in directories and through written or video content.

Leveraging OU Kosher’s Network

OU Kosher’s established network helps certified companies build visibility, influence, and connections. With tailored messaging and support, companies can maximize their impact in both consumer and industrial markets.

If your company isn’t yet taking full advantage of these opportunities, contact your Rabbinic Coordinator (RC) to learn more.

Find out more about marketing support here.

Who’s Who at OU Kosher

Understanding the Key Roles at OU Kosher: Rabbinic Coordinators and Rabbinic Field Representatives

Finding the right support starts with knowing who to contact. Your Rabbinic Coordinator (RC) or account representative is your primary resource. At OU Kosher, Rabbinic Coordinators (RCs) and Rabbinic Field Representatives (RFRs) play critical roles in ensuring kosher production runs smoothly and efficiently.

The Role of the Rabbinic Coordinator (RC)

The RC oversees your company’s kosher program, often specializing in specific industries, particularly those with complex requirements. They serve as the main point of contact with company management, ensuring clear and consistent communication across departments.

Key responsibilities of the RC include:

Assessing how new products impact your kosher status.
Reviewing formulas and labels for accuracy to prevent issues like mislabeling.
Managing private label certifications.
Acting as a liaison between your company and other OU Kosher departments.

The Role of the Rabbinic Field Representative (RFR)

Known as the mashgiach in Hebrew, the RFR acts as OU Kosher’s on-site representative. They regularly visit production facilities to:

Verify that kosher control systems are functioning properly.
Monitor and report any changes in production processes.

RFRs also provide hands-on assistance with:

Inputting new ingredients into the kosher program.
Addressing production-related questions.
Supporting the sourcing of alternate ingredients when needed.

In addition to routine visits, RFRs are often involved in specialized tasks, such as kosherizing equipment, to maintain compliance.

If you don’t know who your RC is you can fill out this contact form for a response within 24 hours.

KOSHER FOOD PRODUCTION EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

OU Kosher, in partnership with Zosi Learning, provides a range of online educational content specifically tailored to companies engaging in kosher food production. Whether a company is new to kosher certification or looking to improve existing kosher processes, these resources are designed to meet their needs. In addition to these courses, other educational resources such as articles, steps to certification, explanations of OU Kosher symbols, and a glossary of terms are provided to enhance understanding and implementation of kosher practices.

Other OU Kosher Industrial Educational Information and Resources

Educational Articles

INGREDIENT SOURCING

Supply chain disruptions present several challenges, particularly in facilities that produce both kosher and non-kosher products.

These concerns include:

Production Scheduling Changes:

- Non-receipt of shipments or the simultaneous arrival of delayed orders can force scheduling alterations.
- Equipment cleaning and product storage complexities can hinder production runs.
Distributors Sending Inappropriate Substitutes:
- Distributors may send whatever is available, even if it doesn’t meet specific requirements.
- Example: A non-OU Kosher compliant butter offered as a substitute.
Purchasing Departments Buying Unsuitable Replacements:

- A quick replacement search in a crisis can have cascading effects on production.
- New items might not align with kosher standards, affecting the production facility.

Find out more about help for ingredient sourcing and supply chain preparedness.

SEARCH AND POST LETTERS OF CERTIFICATION

OU Kosher has updated its search page for Letters of Certification (LOCs), streamlining the process for businesses to display kosher certification status. The enhanced LOC search engine allows searches by name, company, category, or keyword, marking an improvement over the previous version.

Key Features:

Enhanced User Experience: With a user-friendly interface, the new page simplifies verification and sharing of kosher certification information.
Comprehensive Kosher Database: The OU Kosher database (UKD) offers details on over 1 million products from various kosher agencies, not just OU Kosher.
Accessing the UKD: Only available to companies via OU Kosher’s program management website, businesses can request access through their account representative.
Benefits of Sharing Certificate Link: Businesses can share the certificate link, offering customers accurate information quickly.
Value of Certificate on Company Websites: Displaying the certificate on the website increases transparency, credibility, market reach, and customer experience.
Future Developments: Upcoming versions will enable embedding the certificate directly on the business’s website.
Applicability: Available to businesses of all sizes, this tool fosters better communication and trust with customers.

This initiative exemplifies OU Kosher’s commitment to providing accessible and transparent kosher certification information. It aims to boost confidence in kosher products, expand market reach, and enhance the overall experience for both businesses and consumers. For more details, interested parties can visit the LOC website.

Find out more about the oukosher.org LOC page.

OU KOSHER’S CO-PACKER DIRECTORY

Finding Kosher Certified Co-packers

Outsourcing manufacturing can also help provide access to new regional markets for those in the U.S. and for those in other countries interested in selling to the US market.

OU Kosher’s copacker directory was created to help certified companies. Services include help with product marketing, providing training courses for kosher production and sourcing ingredients.

To browse and search the copacker directory login to OUdirect.org. To list your company on the copacker directory email copacksupport@ou.org.

If you’re a company interested in getting OU Kosher certification please complete the application form.

OUDIRECT: OU’S CLIENT INTERFACE

OUDirect serves as the core client interface for the Orthodox Union’s (OU) kosher certification program. This user-friendly portal allows you to manage and view various aspects of a client’s kosher program and financial account. From payment options to product listings and certifications, OUDirect ensures an intuitive and secure online environment.

Payment Features

Pay invoices using ACH electronic payments.
Connect securely with financial institutions through the latest fintech industry standards.

Universal Kosher Database

Find listings of products certified by the OU.
Search by Company Name or Product Name.
All products meet the OU’s Kosher standards.

Print OU Kosher Letters of Certification (LOC)

In-House, Private Label, and Customized letters available.
Kosher Letters in various formats.

Update Product and Ingredient Information

Manage and View Ingredient Lists and Product Lists.
Track Product and Ingredient submissions.

Download Resources

Access to forms, applications, and various OU logos.

Contact Management

Add and Update Contact Information.

Financial Overview

Print Invoices.
View Account Balance.

You can login to OU Direct here.