dave@utcsrgv.UUCP (Dave Sherman) (07/15/83)
From umcp-cs!chris What is (U) for? The (U) is actually a U in a circle, and it indicates that the product is Kosher. Usually referred to as "the O-U", it stands for "certified as Kosher by the Union of Orthodox Rabbis", and appears on many food and food-related (e.g., detergents, wraps, polishes) products. Observant Jews know they can rely on the product non containing non-kosher ingredients. Other marks include a K in a circle (often referred to as "the O-K"), and, in Canada, a stylized MK in a circle (which stands for Montreal Kashruth supervision) and "COR" follower by a number (Council of Orthodox Rabbis of the Canadian Jewish Congress; the number is just the registration number of the company with the Congress, so all Heinz kosher products will have the same number, etc.). If you look in your fridge, you'll discover that a lot of stuff you never noticed before is marked as kosher. It's a convenient mechanism for doing it quietly, informing those who want the information without bothering those who don't. If there's any followup to this, please keep it in net.misc only and out of net.unix-wizards. Dave Sherman, Toronto