In response to an increase in questions from consumers, Orthodox Union (OU) Kosher, the world’s largest kosher certification agency, has unveiled three new tools on its popular app. The new bug checking, tevilas keilim [immersion of kitchen cookery and utensils], and pas yisroel [grain-products that were cooked or baked with the participation of an observant Jew] tools are designed to help clarify these three very important aspects of kashrus and make them more accessible through the app.
The new bug checking tool offers a how to, step-by-step guide and breaks down the type of fruit or vegetable into categories – canned vegetables, dried fruit, fresh berries, fresh vegetables and frozen vegetables. Clicking on a category brings the user to a listing of specific fruits or vegetables and then to a detailed description of how to inspect for bugs and where to do so.
The new tevilas keilim tool offers a brief explanation of what needs and does not need to be toiveled [immersed] in a mikvah and whether it requires a bracha [blessing]. All kitchen cookery and utensils are listed in alphabetical order for the consumer’s ease.
“How and when to check for bugs and what appliances and cookware needs to be immersed in a mikvah are two of the most common questions we receive. Technology is enabling us to provide faster and clearer information to consumers,” said OU Kosher’s Director of Operations Rabbi Moshe Zywica. “Our goal with the OU Kosher app has always been to provide a central resource to address all of the community’s kosher food related questions and we continue to look for ways to update it to meet the growing needs of the kosher consumer.”
The OU Kosher app for iPhone and Android is available at the Apple App Store and Google Play and offers a search engine to OU Kosher’s products index, new kosher product alerts, FAQs and a hotline button where you can ask a question and someone from OU Kosher will respond.
