What is OK Kosher?
Also spelled / known as: OK Kosher Certification, OK Labs, OK symbol
In brief
OK Kosher Certification is one of the 'Big Four' kosher certifying agencies in the United States, founded in 1935 and known for its global reach across 100+ countries.
OK Kosher explained
OK Kosher Certification (originally the Organized Kashruth Laboratories) is a major kosher certification agency headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. The OK symbol — a letter K inside a circle — appears on hundreds of thousands of products worldwide. OK is respected for its rigorous standards and is accepted in Orthodox communities globally.
Real-world examples
A circle with the letter 'K' inside on product packaging
Many international products carry OK certification
Brooklyn bakeries commonly operate under OK supervision
OK-D indicates dairy, OK-P indicates Passover certification
Context & nuance
OK Kosher is one of the Big Four along with OU, Star-K, and Kof-K. It certifies food manufacturers, restaurants, and caterers worldwide. OK was founded by Rabbi Abraham Goldstein and is now headed by Rabbi Don Yoel Levy. The agency is particularly strong in New York, where many Brooklyn-based establishments operate under OK supervision.
Frequently asked questions
- What does the OK Kosher symbol look like?
- The OK Kosher symbol is a letter K enclosed in a circle. It's often accompanied by additional markers like 'D' for dairy, 'M' for meat, 'P' for Passover, or 'Pareve' for neutral products.
- Is OK Kosher as reliable as OU?
- Yes. OK Kosher is considered one of the 'Big Four' kosher certifying agencies along with OU, Star-K, and Kof-K. It is universally accepted in Orthodox Jewish communities and holds the same level of credibility.
- Where is OK Kosher headquartered?
- OK Kosher Certification is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, though it certifies products and establishments in over 100 countries worldwide.
Cities where OK Kosher matters most
Find verified kosher listings in these communities where ok kosher is especially relevant.
Where OK Kosher shows up
These business categories are where you'll encounter ok kosher most often.
Related terms
Hechsher
A hechsher is the symbol printed on a kosher product or displayed by a kosher establishment indicating which rabbinic agency has certified it as meeting kosher standards.
OU Kosher
OU Kosher is the certification from the Orthodox Union — the largest kosher certifying agency in the world, supervising over 1,000,000 products from 10,000+ companies in 100+ countries.
Star-K
Star-K Kosher Certification is a major international kosher agency based in Baltimore, Maryland, known for rigorous standards, extensive rabbinic supervision, and pioneering work on Shabbat-compliant appliances.
Kof-K
Kof-K Kosher Supervision is one of the 'Big Four' US kosher certifying agencies, based in Teaneck, New Jersey, and known for its global reach and rigorous standards.
Kashrut
Kashrut is the body of Jewish dietary law derived from the Torah, defining which foods are permitted (kosher) and forbidden (treif), how animals must be slaughtered, and how meat and dairy must be kept separate.
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