How to Check If a Product Is OU Kosher Certified

The fastest way to check whether a product carries OU Kosher certification is to use the Product Search tool on oukosher.org, or to look for the OU symbol on the packaging itself. If a product isn't in the search results, or the symbol on the label is unfamiliar, you can confirm by calling the OU Kosher Consumer Hotline at +1 (212) 613-8241 x3. The steps below cover each method, plus the specialty lists (beer, cheese, produce) and alert resources that answer most consumer questions without a phone call.

Method 1: Search the OU Product Database

The site's Product Search is the primary lookup tool for consumers.

1. Go to oukosher.org and find Product Search (listed under the Consumers section).
2. Enter the product or brand name.
3. Review the result: a match means the company and product are listed under OU supervision.

Expected result: you either find the product listed as OU certified, or you don't. If you don't find it, that does not automatically mean the product is non-kosher — it may be certified by a different agency, or the database entry may be under a slightly different product name. In that case, use the hotline.

Common snag: brand names and product names don't always match what's printed on the front of the package. Try the manufacturer's name as well as the product name.

Method 2: Read the Symbol on the Package

The OU symbol is the mark that identifies a product as certified by the Orthodox Union. The site maintains a Kosher Symbols reference page explaining the symbols and what they mean, which is useful when a label shows a symbol you don't recognize or a variation you haven't seen before.

If the symbol on the package doesn't match what the site describes, treat the certification as unconfirmed until you check with the OU directly.

Method 3: Call the Consumer Hotline

For anything the database and symbol guide don't resolve, the OU Kosher Consumer Hotline is +1 (212) 613-8241 x3. This is the appropriate route when:

• A product isn't in the search results but you want a definitive answer.
• A label symbol is ambiguous or damaged.
• You need to confirm a specific product variation (flavor, size, seasonal edition).

Companies with certification questions use a separate line: +1 (212) 613-8372 (Applications and New Certification Office). Consumers should use the hotline number instead.

Specialty Kosher Lists

Some categories are hard to judge from a package symbol alone, so the OU publishes dedicated lists under its Consumer Resources:

These lists exist because a general product search won't answer category-specific questions — for example, whether a particular cheese or beer is acceptable.

Alerts, FAQs, and Ongoing Updates

Kosher status can change. The OU publishes Kosher Alerts for products whose certification status has changed or been withdrawn, and a FAQS section plus Daf HaKashrus for detailed guidance. If you rely on a specific product regularly, checking alerts is worth doing rather than assuming a past result still holds.

For general background — what kosher means, how supervision works, and a glossary of terms — the site's Learn about Kosher section covers the basics, including "What is Kosher?" and "How does OU Supervision Work?"

Quick Decision Guide

• Product in hand, symbol looks standard → confirm against the Kosher Symbols page; if it matches, you're done.
• Want to verify a specific product → use Product Search.
• Product not found, or symbol unclear → call +1 (212) 613-8241 x3.
• Beer, cheese, produce, Passover, or Yoshon → use the matching specialty list rather than general search.
• Checking a product you've relied on before → check Kosher Alerts for status changes.