IS YOUR KOSHER PROGRAM RUNNING SMOOTHLY?

IS YOUR KOSHER PROGRAM RUNNING SMOOTHLY?

When your company’s kosher program runs smoothly, everyone wins. The company’s reputation will be respected in the kosher market, rabbinic inspections are more efficient and, in the long run, paperwork is significantly minimized. The following steps can help ensure that your kosher program is in the best possible shape.

It is of the utmost importance that all R&D and experimental ingredients be submitted to the OU for prior approval. Use of such ingredients when uncertified, even for test purposes, may compromise the kosher status of equipment, and tracking and reporting them unnecessarily burdens your staff and our Rabbinic Field Representatives. It is always wise to submit any ingredients used for prior approval, in order to save time later should your company wish to use these ingredients in the final product.

1 Before an ingredient not appearing on the Schedule A (the ingredient list) is ordered, please fax a copy of the new ingredient’s kosher documentation to the OU for prior approval.

2 Always apply for approval of new labels, in-house or private, before placing the OU on the label.

3 Inform your Rabbinic Coordinator before any change that may affect kosher issues takes place (e.g. installation of new equipment, cutting or connecting lines, modification of CIP procedures, etc.).

4 Make sure that Schedules A and B accurately reflect your company’s ingredient inventory and certified product list.

5 Be sure that your receiving personnel check all incoming deliveries against the Schedule A to assure conformity to all kosher related requirements.

6 Make sure to obtain accurate and complete letters of certification (LOC) from the OU for your products, as these letters are extremely valuable in marketing your products. Please make sure that your distributors also receive copies in order to maximize distribution to kosher clients. Inform your Rabbinic Coordinator 4-6 weeks prior to your letter’s expiration so a renewed letter can be processed for your company.

7 Be sure that your certified products (retail and industrial) carry the OU symbol. This will not only benefit you in business, but will also make your products easily identifiable as meeting kosher specs by Rabbinic Field Reps, supervisors and kosher consumers throughout the world.

8 If you have any questions about your company’s kosher program, call your Rabbinic Coordinator. It is his job to assist your company and to provide the service you deserve.

9 Be sure to tell your company’s Rabbinic Coordinator of any changes in personnel (Q.A. Manager, Plant Manager) so that the information is recorded in our database.

Remember, we are here to serve your company.

For any further help or information, regarding your plant's kosher program, please contact your Rabbinic Coordinator at our New York office, (212)563-4000, or you may speak to your Rabbinic Field Representative.