In May, 150 rabbis specializing in kosher supervision gathered in Tarrytown, N.Y. for OU Kosher’s annual Rabbinic Field Representatives (RFR) Conference. Topics revolved around the important and often complex business of kosher certification, ranging from the Jewish laws that govern it, and the manufacturing processes involved, to continuing challenges resulting from ongoing supply chain disruptions.
Each year, the gathering features a wide range of subjects. Presentations this year included:
- Precautions in the Workplace, providing tips on staying safe in the various environments and conditions RFR’s regularly encounter.
- The Innovation of Plant-based Products, exploring the practicalities of kashrut for products that are changing from dairy to parve. This included a case study with OU Kosher-certified Chobani, a company that operates the largest yogurt facility in the world.
- An Overview of European Kashrut looked at the language, cultural and sometimes travel challenges of supervising the OU Kosher certified facilities in Europe.
- OU Kosher Israel Operations included an important update on the growing number of companies exporting food products to Israel and the support provided by OU Kosher’s Jerusalem offices.