A lawsuit, filed in federal district in New York, pits the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America against Valdoliva International Inc., a producer and importer of olive oil from the south of Italy.For generations, the rabbis and inspectors of the Orthodox Union have examined food products to determine whether they comply with Jewish laws governing what is kosher. Food producers that pass muster can mark them with the Orthodox Union’s OU trademark, which observant Jews often look for when they go shopping.
In the lawsuit, the Orthodox Union alleged that Voldoliva had violated its registered trademark by placing an OU on the labels of olive oil bottles without authorization. The Orthodox Union claimed this substantially undercut its standing and harmed consumers of kosher food, who were tricked into thinking that the olive oil had been certified as kosher.
In its written response to the complaint, Valdoliva said the oil labeled with the OU trademark was produced in accordance with the Orthodox Union’s koshering procedure and eligible for certification by the group. The company said the dispute is “obviously an innocent misunderstanding,” adding that it has already recalled from distributors any bottles now bearing labels with the OU trademark.
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
25 Responses
I recently heard a prominent posek explaing the different chilukim in hilchos brochos – about specialized candies (such as chocolate covered peanuts, etc.).
I think that the following issue should be addressed in MORE detail: With the current situation of Klal Yisroel and all the tragedies that have befallen us (refer to the recent YW poem), should we really be increasing our indulgence in such moisros (lavish amenities), or should we try to be mavlig (restrain) and aspire to more ruchniyus?
kitzur.
can you kindly enlighten us and explain to the oilam here what your comment has to do with this article..
IMO-The OU has a great clear cut case cut out for them.They have a good chance of victory.
kitzur (2)
…and as far as your comment about ‘indulgence in such moisros’
use of Olive oil is NOT ‘indulgence in such moisros’
It is an EXCELENT product to keep cholesterol in check. and there are MANY people out there with that problem.
scy4851: It’s simple.
When kashrus organizations go out of their way world-wide to certify more foods, I think it has crossed the boundry between necessity and moisros.
Do we really need Italian olive oil, or can’t we get by with domestic stuff? (I think one is well yotzei Chanuka latkes with USA oil!)
If you recall from history, Theodore Herzl’s charter for a State included: “French theatres, German operas, and Bavarian beer.”
A Yid who is yerei Shomaim can do without these amenities.
sounds like this company contracted with the ou and then for whatever reason decided not to pay the ou butas they felt they had conformed to the kashrus issues they could place an ou on their product
IMO – This story suppies the barest of facts, and I suspect that they were on the verge of getting an OU hechesher before perhaps someone went off half-cocked to print labels before the deal was done. Let’s get more facts and see how this plays out in the end.
I think the OU has bigger problems with non-vegetarian cans showing up with an OU on the label and meat ingredients. Those occurences are more concern to me than pure olive oil.
Edited by Site Staff. (No linking to blogs allowed in the comments)
Abi, thanks for your legal opinion. BTW, which state did you pass the bar in?
kitzur_dot_net: Kadesh atzmoch bemuttar lach.
Kitzur –
Where do you buy domestic olive oil? I don’t believe there are even olives grown on a commercial scale in the US.
Even if we went with your theory on over indulgance, I think olive oil would way down on the list of things people don’t need but buy anyway.
Oy !
Kitzur talkes very bekitzur, but doesn’t realize, the inyan is totaly different.
The ou did NOT give a hechscher on the oil (moisres) from Italy.
kitur
Is olive oil from Italy an indulgence?
Is wine from France’s vineyards an indulgence?
Are oranges from Florida an indulgence when we can get them from CA.?
What about sushi, organic brown rice, and sesame oil? Should our products only come from the USA (to help its economy) and shun any imports? What are you suggesting?
to get a significant judgment they must prove that their reputation was damaged. note that it was mentioned in the article. this is from sources at the ou regarding a different case.
williams…Actually i passed my Bar @the age of 13…in Harvard.
instead of insulting each other over such ridiculous things, why don’t we take out of this the effect this can have on klal yisroel. this story illustrates the fact that anyone can put an OU on their products’ label and if nobody realizes it we can all be eating treif. hence i beleive that in ligfht of this incident along with the many recent kashrus problems, there should be a renewed call for our gedolim and kashrus agencies to come up with a viable solution
Kitzur, you remind me of a Musser Shmuze that I heard when I was 13 and in Israel for the summer on a yeshiva/summer group. The guy, in Binei Birak talked about not eating a certain type of food, even if 100% Kosher.
With all of the things that we need to improve on in Klal Yisroel, I can GUARANTEE you that not using Olive oil is NOT one of them.
I appreciate your idea, but off the mark?
kitzur_dot_net: a real real “yerei Shomaim” doesn’t have a computer.
and certainly doesnt spend time posting comments on blogs
IN my humble opinion high the price of oil per gallon is due to hechsharim
Hey Kitzur!
You are absolutly right! We should buy only American Products! Especially Lulavim, and Esrogim! Now those are real luxuries.
Do you know any sofrim in America writing STaM. It seems my local dealer only brings them in from Eretz Yisroel, I guess we’ll have to stop supporting the frum community there too!
Sriously, The issue at hand is not which Hashgacha goes where to certify what product. Kitzur, you should be applauding the OU for it’s action. Or do you need to be reminded about certain Monsey and Flatbush incidents which occured when the Hasgachas let their guard down? The OU ‘s suit is for our protection, as well as their own. The only thing that could come about by not vigorously gudaring its patented symbol is the Farshutzing it’s Shem Tov. now you wouldn’t like it if it happened to you, would you?
Barak
is that petrol or cooking? The non-certified cooking is just as expensive.
It is common knowledge (or should be) that extra virgin olive oil does not need a hechsher. Indeed, the CRC says that extra virgin olive oil can be used on Pesach without certification!
barak
Are you suggesting that we abolish hechsherim?
Chas V’Sholom!
barak do you mean crude oil heating oil or olive oil.
Kitzur
“Do we really need Italian olive oil, or can’t we get by with domestic stuff?”
so… what about the yidden living in Italy, can’t they have DOMESTIC stuff with an imported O-U on it? Is the imported O-U a luxury?
ill let the OILAM figure it out