All QuicKosher Archive Your Kosher Certification Food & Beverage Industry

4 Steps to Add Value to Your Private Label Brand with Kosher Certification
September 2023
By Etan Mayo, MBA – Private Label Specialist at OK Kosher If you’re like most CPG brand owners, you are always looking to improve brand image, increase recognition, and bolster sales.  And to those to which it’s relevant, private labelling ...
4 min read. Read More

Ilana Klein

Lab technician loading a bottle into a high pressure processing unit.

High Pressure Processing (HPP) in Kosher Manufacturing
August 2023
What are the advantages, disadvantages, and implications for kosher? High Pressure Processing, or HHP, uses physical pressure instead of heat to kill pathogens and secure shelf life in food products.  This pressure is applied to the outside of the product ...
10 min read. Read More

Ilana Klein

Photo of executives sitting around a modern conference table, ostensibly discussing adding more products to the company's kosher portfolio.

Adding More Products to Your Company’s Kosher Portfolio
June 2023
Insights from a Leading Company in Food and Beverage This April, members of the OK Kosher team, including yours truly, met with two employees at one our most key clients.  This company happens to be one of the five largest ...
4 min read. Read More

Ilana Klein

Rubber stamped image on paper depicting the OK Kosher Certification Mark and a label stating "Registered Trademark"

Is The Letter K Really a Trademark? Can They Do That? (Part 1)
November 2022
Part 1 of 2: Avoid These 9 Trademark Infringements with Kosher Certification Kosher supervision and its associated kosher symbol, or certification mark are two distinct things.  That’s right.  Even the letter K itself becomes questionable when referring to a product’s ...
8 min read. Read More

Ilana Klein

Analytics chart depicting ROI in kosher certification

Kosher Certification? It’s Not Worth Your Investment, Without Checking These 5 Boxes.
June 2022
How to tell when there’s ROI in kosher certification, and when not to bother. Yep – you’re reading a post from a major, international kosher certifier here – that’s no secret.  This is our arena, and that’s precisely why you ...
6 min read. Read More

Ilana Klein

Image of a scoop of collagen powder

We Won’t Approve Most Kosher Collagen (or Gelatin). Yes, Even When it Says it’s Kosher.
February 2022
You asked, and we delivered.  One of the most common questions we get from companies looking to get kosher certified is why we don’t approve certain ingredients. Even when they have kosher certification.  And perhaps you’ve found yourself here on ...
11 min read. Read More

Ilana Klein

Inspecting spinach for infestation - a reason you may need kosher certification for your brand..

Why Do I Need Kosher Certification for My Brand?
January 2022
Check out the top 5 reasons you wouldn’t expect to need kosher certification for your company. When compiling a portfolio of certifications, you need to predict and provide what your customers are already looking for.  But it can be daunting ...
7 min read. Read More

Ilana Klein

Two professionals reviewing onboarding documents and data for kosher onboarding

Kosher Onboarding Success and How to Make it Yours.
November 2021
Raw material, ingredient and product data submission. Onboarding is one of those buzzwords in the business world, and refers to what we used to call “setup.”  But to its credit, the term really speaks to the effort and care we ...
12 min read. Read More

Ilana Klein

Person's Hand Filling in a Quiz Paper

Self-Assessment Quiz: Is Kosher Certification Right for Our Company?
September 2021
With so many certifications out there, it can be confusing to decide which ones matter most. The choice of whether or not to become kosher certified takes into account several considerations. Take our self-assessment quiz to understand whether your company ...
1 min read. Read More

Ilana Klein

Checking Logs on an Unannounced Visit

Why Are Kosher Inspection Visits Unannounced?
August 2021
When it comes to kosher inspections, there’s a connection between the element of surprise and regulatory integrity. One distinct feature of kosher certification is the unannounced visit.  For the biggest names in food production, third party audits are a matter ...
11 min read. Read More

Ilana Klein

Coronavirus COVID-19 Masks

Resources to Support Your Kosher Program During COVID-19 and Beyond
August 2020
The Coronavirus pandemic certainly has had a full spectrum of effects on many people.  We sincerely hope that you’re all faring well.  Knowing how crucial kosher certification is to manufacturers and consumers alike, we’re making efforts to adapt to the ...
2 min read. Read More

Ilana Klein

Advantages to consider in growing your kosher program

3 Advantages to Consider for Your OK Kosher Programs
December 2019
As your partners in kosher certification, OK Kosher appreciates the deep commitment that you have invested in your program with.  We want to honor that and continue to help you grow.  Here are three advantages to consider in maintaining your ...
2 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

Sticker For New Brands with a Private Label for Kosher Applications

Kosher Private Label Applications – Now Automated.
September 2018
Kosher Private Label Applications – Now Automated. For your kosher convenience. At OK Kosher, we provide thousands of food and beverage companies with quality services for their kosher certification needs.  To that end, we’ve recently automated the OK Kosher private ...
2 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

What is that “K” Symbol and How You Can Use it on Food Packaging
July 2017
Did you know there’s one small symbol that you can put on your product that will open you up to a whole new market? A recognizable and reliable kosher certification logo on your product means that hundreds of thousands of ...
3 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

Four Red Blocks With Numbers Changing From 2017 to 2018

Kosher in 2016, Looking Ahead to 2017 and Beyond
December 2016
OK Kosher Certification recognizes that this is a busy time of year, as you deal with the demands of closing 2016 on a high and driving to achieve all of your targets. 2017 is around the corner and brings another ...
2 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

Someone Looking at the FDA Nutritional Label on a Food Product in a Store

Can the FDA’s label changes be an opportunity for your brand?
September 2016
Dear OK Kosher Customer, As you may know, the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has taken a major step by requiring updated nutritional information for most packaged foods sold in the United States. This new regulation means that most ...
1 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

Kosher Best Practices

Best Practices in Kosher Compliance
September 2015
Kosher Best Practices to Thrive in Certification Customers often ask for kosher best practices, wondering what it takes to run effective kosher programs in between visits.  Therefore, we want to outline some basics to get your company up and running with ...
3 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

Kosher Contact Person

Making the Most of Your Annual Visit
May 2015
As part of OK Kosher’s efforts to assure the highest quality standards and achieve the maximum level of service, our leadership team has developed a set of principles and framework to achieve quality assurance. A primary goal and guiding principle ...
2 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

Tips and Insights for Smarter Kosher Decisions
March 2015
The eight-day festival of Passover is fast approaching. This year Passover is April 3-11. It commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. For more info on Passover and its implications for kosher standards, please refer to ...
1 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

Bottles On A Factory Line With the OK Kosher Manual for Manufacturing Facilities

OK Kosher Releases Innovative Updated Plant Manual
July 2014
The OK has revised its comprehensive “how to” manual for kosher certified facilities.   OK Kosher believes that communication is essential to the effective development of a kosher program. To this end, the purpose of this manual is to direct you, ...
2 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

Bowl of Fermented Red Carmine Powder for Kosher Food Creation

Fermented Red – A Game Changer?
February 2014
Courtesy of Chr. Hansen   Ed. Note: Carmine, a popular red colorant, is not kosher due to the prohibition of insect derived foods. A synthetic version is a major contribution to kosher food production.   The ability to produce natural ...
2 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

The Advantages of Letting Consumers Know Your Product is Kosher
November 2013
The economy is tight, expenses are always growing, and now, more than ever, every dollar counts. Every company has a budget – ingredients, packaging, staff, advertising, certifications – and each category is assigned a dollar amount, for many companies an ...
1 min read. Read More

Rabbi Eli Lando

Adding a New Ingredient to Your List of Approved Ingredients
September 2013
New ingredients are added to your list of approved ingredients by submitting a New Ingredient Application. There are two ways to submit the application – by faxing or emailing the application and kosher letter to the OK office, or by ...
1 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

Kosher Group System of Ingredient Receiving

Kosher 101: What are the Kosher Groups?
June 2013
Kosher groups are a way of classifying different types of kosher ingredients. A Group 1 ingredient does not require a kosher certificate or kosher symbol. A Group 2 ingredient requires a kosher certificate, but no kosher symbol printed on the ...
1 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

OK Holds Annual Rabbinic Conference
December 2012
Recently, the OK held its annual Mashgiach Conference at the Jewish Children’s Museum in Brooklyn, NY. Over 150 OK personnel and mashgichim were in attendance, including many from around the world.   Highlight of the Conference The OK honored two ...
3 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

Digital Depiction of A Management System Such As DigitalKosher That Is "Fast, Efficient, Secure, Global, Paperless

Kosher 101: What is a Kosher Formula?
December 2012
A kosher formula is the recipe for a specific product we certify certified. Each ingredient is listed, along with its kosher certificate, and the method of production is noted. We do not require the amounts of each ingredient used and ...
1 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

Kosher 101: Kosher Equipment
April 2012
In addition to the requirement that all ingredients (including anti-foam and other production aids) used to make a kosher product must be certified kosher, the equipment used to produce the product must meet kosher requirements as well. As previously discussed, ...
1 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

What Can the OK Do For You? Digital Kosher Tip #1
April 2012
DigitalKosher has added another layer of flexibility for customers that wish to create their own custom kosher certificates online. In addition to the ability to create a certificate with all your items on it, you can also click to “Create ...
1 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

Serving Your Company into 2012 and Beyond
January 2012
As we begin the new year of 2012, we at OK Kosher Certification would like to thank you for another exciting year.  We are proud to serve your kosher programs and take great pleasure in the many new projects we ...
1 min read. Read More

Rabbi Eli Lando

OK Kosher Releases 2nd iPhone App
May 2011
The OK is always at the forefront of merging technology with kosher certification. From computerized product and ingredient data storage, to online access to thousands of kosher certificates, the OK takes pride in its high tech, user-friendly kosher database. Recently, ...
2 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

OK Kosher Meets with ConAgra CEO
January 2011
Late in August, Rabbi Don Yoel Levy, CEO of OK Kosher Supervision (also known as “Circle K Kosher”) presented ConAgra Foods CEO Gary Rodkin with a plaque recognizing more than four decades of collaboration between the two firms. But it ...
3 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

OK Services, Features and Benefits – Part 3
January 2011
1. Ability for multiple personnel to access your kosher data online. You have control over adding or deleting authorized users to your DigitalKosher account. Allow specified personnel to add/remove data, including ingredients and formulas, as well as alter the viewing ...
1 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

Kosher 101: What is a kosher ingredient?
January 2011
A kosher ingredient is one that is certified by a reputable kosher certification agency and approved for use by the OK. Application for: Receiving: The receiving department must check all incoming ingredients for kosher products to ensure that they are ...
1 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

Welcome, Rabbi Eli Lando!
January 2011
Rabbi Eli Lando recently joined the staff of the OK as Chief Customer Relations Officer. Rabbi Lando was born and raised in Israel where he received ordination as a rabbi.  Rabbi Lando is also a graduate of UBC Business Sauder ...
2 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

New Product, New Formula Form Changes
June 2010
The OK has recently updated the Application for New Product or Formula and the form for Approved Ingredient in Stock with Expired Kosher Certificate. The best, most efficient way to submit information to the OK is through DigitalKosher. If you ...
1 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

Kosher 101: What is Kosher Meat?
June 2010
A kosher meat product must be derived from a permissible animal that has both split hooves and chews its cud. Kosher animals are cows, sheep, goats, venison, chickens, turkeys, duck and geese. In addition, the meat must be slaughtered by ...
2 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

OK Services, Features and Benefits – Part 2
June 2010
Online real-time access to your product list. Download your list as an Excel document and view all of the data behind certificates and products, including: labeler information, production location, kosher status and restrictions. All changes to products (i.e. name change, ...
1 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

Picture of a Barcode with "OK Food Guide" Over Top

Important Information About the Kosher Food Guide
January 2010
One of the great features of the OK website is the Kosher Food Guide (KFG). This guide is continuously updated with newly certified products, providing you with maximum exposure to kosher consumers. Each time you submit an Application for New ...
1 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

A pareve (neutral) product is made from inherently kosher or kosher certified ingredients that are neither meat, nor dairy. Some examples of pareve ingredients are raw fruits & vegetables, flour, sugar, kosher fish, and eggs.

What Does Pareve Mean?
January 2010
A pareve (neutral) product is made from inherently kosher or kosher certified ingredients that are neither meat, nor dairy. Some examples of pareve ingredients are raw fruits & vegetables, flour, sugar, kosher fish, and eggs.
1 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

OK Services, Features and Benefits – Part 1
January 2010
The free benefits of being associated with the OK (which are unparalleled in the industry) are geared to increase your bottom line. OK Kosher Certification is a globally recognized brand and registered trademark, relied on by millions of consumers around ...
2 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

OK Kosher Certification – Three Generations at the Forefront of the Food Industry
September 2009
In 1935, today’s food industry – diversified corporations, complex production processes and international brands – was just beginning to take form, with the marketing strategies that have propelled the growth of its greatest companies. Among its target markets was the ...
2 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel

The Oldest Diet is the Latest Trend…
September 2009
Every few years, nutritional discoveries provide the food industry with hot new trends – propelling sales and building brands positioned to capitalize. The latest? “Kosher,” reports an industry analyst, is “becoming the ‘new organic’ certification for consumers.” The hottest new ...
2 min read. Read More

Dina Fraenkel