🕊 Acceptable Jewish Orthodox Kosher Hechsherim

A Guide for Suppliers, Contributors, and the Broader Kosher Community

At Dieters Forum LLC, we believe that kashrus is more than a certification—it’s a commitment to communal trust, halachic integrity, and lifecycle-sensitive stewardship. Whether you're a supplier exploring product eligibility or a member of the public seeking clarity on kosher standards, this page offers a transparent overview of the Orthodox hechsherim we recognize and may seek for our wellness platforms.

We’ve curated this vetted guide to reflect the diverse needs of our community, including:

  • Nationally recognized agencies (e.g., OU, Star-K, Kof-K)

  • Heimishe certifications trusted by chassidish and yeshivish communities (e.g., New Square, Satmar-affiliated symbols)

  • Regional authorities with strong communal vetting (e.g., cRc Chicago, K-COR Detroit, KosherQuest)

This page is not a halachic ruling, but a practical resource aligned with our mission to build lifecycle-aligned infrastructure for Rambam’s® and future wellness brands. We regularly consult rabbinic advisors and communal leaders to ensure our standards remain respectful, inclusive, and future-proof.

If you're a supplier, please use this guide to understand which certifications may be requested for product onboarding. If you're a community member, feel free to explore, ask questions, and deepen your understanding of kosher symbols and their role in everyday life.

✅ 1. Star-K (Baltimore)

Founded in 1947 as the Orthodox Jewish Council/Vaad Hakashrus of Baltimore, Star-K has grown into one of the largest kosher certifiers in the world. It operates in over 3,100 locations across 63 countries, with offices and mashgichim stationed throughout the U.S., Israel, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Star-K is especially known for:

  • Certifying food products, industrial ingredients, appliances, and food service establishments

  • Publishing halachic guides on medicine, technology, and kitchen appliances

  • Maintaining high kashrus standards as a nonprofit organization, avoiding conflicts of interest

  • Serving both national and heimishe communities, with rabbinic leadership under Rabbi Moshe Heinemann and Dr. Avrom Pollak

  • Does not publish a list of acceptable external hechsherim.

  • Instead, Star-K publishes:

    • A list of products that do not require certification (e.g., plain baking soda, raw grains) under specific conditions.

    • Guidance on Starbucks, insect checking, and Pas Yisroel standards.

  • No formal endorsement list of other agencies is available on their site.

Full name: Star-K Kosher Certification

Founded: 1947

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Affiliation: Centrist and Modern Orthodox

Focus: Kashrus certification, halachic guidance, technology and medicine-related kashrus

Known for: Publishing detailed kosher guides and appliance halacha resources

Phone: (410) 484–4110

Address: 122 Slade Avenue, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21208

Website: https://www.star-k.org

Kosher Lists Category Archives | STAR-K Kosher Certification

✅ 2. OU (Orthodox Union)

The Orthodox Union (OU) is the largest and most widely recognized kosher certifying agency in the world. Founded in 1898, the OU has become a cornerstone of Orthodox Jewish life in North America, offering kashrus supervision, youth programming, advocacy, and communal support.

Its kosher division, OU Kosher, certifies over 1 million products in more than 12,000 facilities across 100+ countries, making it the most trusted symbol of kosher certification globally. The iconic OU symbol (Ⓤ) is recognized by consumers, suppliers, and retailers as a mark of halachic integrity and rigorous oversight.

Beyond kashrus, the OU operates:

  • NCSY (National Conference of Synagogue Youth)

  • Yachad (Disability inclusion)

  • Advocacy initiatives in Washington, D.C.

  • Synagogue services, educational programs, and communal infrastructure

  • It Does not publish a list of acceptable external hechsherim.

  • OU focuses exclusively on:

    • Products certified by the OU, searchable via their product database.

    • No public-facing list of other agencies they recognize.

  • For questions about specific symbols, they recommend contacting their consumer hotline.

Full name: Orthodox Union

Founded: 1898

Location: New York, New York

Affiliation: Modern Orthodox and broad national reach

Focus: Kashrus certification, youth programming (NCSY), advocacy, and communal services

Known for: Certifying over 1 million products globally with the OU symbol

Phone: (212) 613–8241

Address: 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004

Website: https://oukosher.org

Is It Kosher? Kosher Product Search | OU Kosher Certification – OU Kosher Certification

✅ 3. Kof-K

Kof-K Kosher Supervision is one of the “Big Five” national kosher certifying agencies, known for its halachic integrity, global reach, and commitment to transparency. Founded in 1977 by Rabbi Dr. Harvey (Zecharia) Senter, Kof-K was among the first agencies to integrate scientific expertise with halachic oversight, setting a precedent for modern kosher supervision.

Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey, Kof-K certifies thousands of products and facilities worldwide, including food manufacturers, restaurants, and industrial ingredient suppliers. The agency is especially respected for its work in ingredient traceability, food technology, and international compliance.

Kof-K is also known for:

  • Maintaining close rabbinic supervision with a team of trained mashgichim

  • Offering educational resources for consumers and companies

  • Being a family-run organization with a strong emphasis on personal service and halachic clarity

  • It dooes not publish a public list of acceptable external hechsherim.

  • Their website focuses on:

    • Kof-K certified products and services.

    • No published endorsements of other agencies.

  • For clarity on specific symbols, direct contact is required.

Full name: Kof-K Kosher Supervision

Founded: 1977

Location: Teaneck, New Jersey

Affiliation: Modern Orthodox

Focus: Kashrus certification, food service, and industrial supervision

Known for: Being one of the “Big Five” national certifiers with global reach

Phone: (201) 837–0500

Address: 201 The Plaza, Teaneck, NJ 07666

Website: https://www.kof-k.org

KOF-K

✅ 4. Central Rabbinical Congress (CRC) – Hisachdus HaRabbonim

Serving Heimishe Communities Across the U.S. and Canada

The Central Rabbinical Congress of the U.S.A. and Canada (CRC)—known in Hebrew as הִתְאַחֲדוּת הָרַבָּנִים דְּאַרְצוֹת הַבְּרִית וְקַנָּדָא (Hisachdus HaRabbonim DeArtzos HaBris VeCanada)—is a leading rabbinical organization representing hundreds of Orthodox and chassidish communities across North America. Founded in 1953 by prominent rabbinic leaders including Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum of Satmar, the CRC was established to unify post-Holocaust Haredi communities and provide comprehensive religious infrastructure.

Today, the CRC serves as a trusted umbrella for over 300 communal rabbis, representing a collective constituency of more than 250,000 individuals. The CRC represents many heimishe communities, though they do not publish a list of other agencies. Its activities include:

  • Global kosher certification for food processing plants, retail establishments, and restaurants

  • Mashgichim oversight with rigorous halachic standards and international reach

  • Beth Din services, rabbinical conventions, and communal guidance

  • Vaad L’Chizuk Hadas and Vaad L’Inyonei Hora’ah, panels dedicated to strengthening Torah observance and halachic clarity

While the CRC does not publish a list of other acceptable hechsherim, its own certification is widely respected in heimishe circles, including Satmar, Pupa, Vien, Kashau, and other chassidic communities.

Full name: הִתְאַחֲדוּת הָרַבָּנִים דְּאַרְצוֹת הַבְּרִית וְקַנָּדָא (Hisachdus HaRabbonim DeArtzos HaBris VeCanada)

Founded: 1953

Location: Brooklyn, New York

Affiliation: Chassidish and heimishe communities (e.g., Satmar, Pupa, Kashau)

Focus: Kashrus certification, rabbinical courts, communal infrastructure

Known for: Rigorous halachic standards and global mashgichim network

Phone: (718) 384–6765

Address: 85 Division Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Website: https://www.crckashrus.org

Central Rabbinical Congress – CRC Kosher

✅ 5. OK Kosher Certification Overview

Global Reach, Trusted Standards, and Orthodox Kashrus Leadership

OK Kosher Certification is one of the largest and most globally recognized kosher certifying agencies. Founded in 1935, it operates across six continents and certifies hundreds of thousands of products and facilities. Headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, OK Kosher is known for its rigorous halachic standards, proprietary technology systems, and strong relationships with food manufacturers worldwide. It does not publish a list of other acceptable hechsherim, focusing instead on its own certification network and educational resources.  Its activities include:

  • A searchable product database for items certified by OK Kosher, which can be found at Product Search - OK Kosher

  • Certification guidance for companies seeking OK supervision

  • Educational resources on kosher standards and halachic processes

They do not offer endorsements or vetting of other agencies, heimishe or otherwise. For questions about specific symbols not certified by OK, they recommend contacting their rabbinic staff directly.

Full name: OK Kosher Certification

Founded: 1935

Location: Brooklyn, New York

Affiliation: Orthodox

Focus: Global kosher certification, food service supervision, consumer education, and fraud prevention

Known for: Operating across six continents, certifying over 600,000 products, and pioneering kosher technology systems

Phone: (718) 756–7500

Address: 391 Troy Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213

Website: https://www.ok.org

OK Kosher Certification - Kosher Without Compromise for Companies

✅ 6. cRc (Chicago Rabbinical Council)

The Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc)is a leading Modern Orthodox kashrus agency founded in 1932. Based in Chicago, it certifies thousands of products and establishments, and is widely respected for its halachic rigor and transparency. The cRc publishes a comprehensive list of acceptable kosher symbols, making it a trusted resource for consumers and suppliers across North America.

The cRc does publish a vetted list of acceptable hechsherim, updated regularly and widely respected across communities.

  • Includes over 100+ recommended agencies worldwide.

  • Contact info, symbol images, and regional filters

  • Offers a printable PDF, searchable database, and contact info for each agency. PDF export and printable Kashrus Card

  • Used by many mashgichim and communal leaders as a baseline.

  • Satmar: The cRc does not list Satmar explicitly on its public-facing database, but it acknowledges that many heimishe hechsherim are acceptable even if not listed. They recommend contacting them directly for confirmation.

  • New Square (NSK): Explicitly listed as acceptable in the cRc’s Pesach guidance and broader kashrus documentation

  • Updated for 2025 and maintained by Rabbi Sholem Fishbane.

Full name: Chicago Rabbinical Council

Founded: 1932

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Affiliation: Modern Orthodox and centrist communities

Focus: Kashrus certification, eruvim, geirus, mikvaos, and communal halachic guidance

Known for: Publishing a widely used list of acceptable kosher agencies and symbols

Phone: (773) 465–3900

Address: 2701 W. Howard Street, Chicago, IL 60645

Website: https://www.crckosher.org

Acceptable Kashrus Agencies - cRc Consumer Kosher

✅ 7. K-COR (Council of Orthodox Rabbis of Greater Detroit)

K-COR serves the Detroit Jewish community with local kashrus supervision and halachic services. While its public list of recommended kosher symbols is limited, it offers guidance for commonly found certifications and encourages direct contact for questions about unlisted hechsherim.

  • Publishes a list of recommended kosher symbols.

  • Focuses on commonly found symbols in the U.S.

  • Their published list focuses on commonly found national and regional certifications. The list is described as non-exhaustive, meaning it includes only the most commonly found symbols.

  • Offers a Kosher Information Line for questions about specific symbols.

  • For questions about unlisted symbols—including heimishe ones—they encourage contacting their Kosher Information Line directly: 📞 (248) 559–5005 x103

Full name: Council of Orthodox Rabbis of Greater Detroit

Founded: 1970s

Location: Southfield, Michigan

Affiliation: Orthodox

Focus: Kashrus certification, local supervision, and communal halachic services

Known for: Maintaining a list of recommended kosher symbols and serving the Detroit Jewish community

Phone: (248) 559–5005

Address: 15751 West Lincoln Drive, Southfield, MI 48076

Website: https://cordetroit.com

Council of Orthodox Rabbis of Greater Detroit | Recommended Kosher Symbols

✅ 8. KosherQuest (Rabbi Eidlitz, Kosher Information Bureau)

KosherQuest, led by Rabbi Eliezer Eidlitz, is a California-based Orthodox resource offering a searchable database of kosher symbols and travel-friendly kashrus advice. It includes many heimishe and regional hechsherim not listed by national agencies, making it especially useful for consumers seeking clarity across diverse communities.

  • Offers a searchable database of kosher symbols by region.

  • Satmar: Listed under “Truly Kosher” and other affiliated symbols.

  • New Square: Listed with full contact info and rabbinic administrator (Rabbi C.M. Wagshal)

  • Symbols are approved by Rabbi Eidlitz, a respected authority in California.

  • Especially useful for West Coast and international travelers.

Full name: Kosher Information Bureau

Founded: 1980s

Location: Valley Village, California

Affiliation: Orthodox

Focus: Kashrus education, symbol verification, and travel guidance

Known for: Publishing a searchable list of kosher symbols and travel-friendly kashrus advice

Phone: (818) 995–6577

Address: 12405 Sylvan Street, Valley Village, CA 91607

Website: https://kosherquest.org

Kosher Symbols – Kosherquest.org – Online Kashrus Information

“Kashrus is not merely a checklist—it’s a living covenant between generations. Every symbol we recognize, every standard we uphold, reflects our commitment to halachic integrity, communal trust, and the sanctity of daily life. Whether in a factory overseas or a kitchen in Monsey, the hechsher is a quiet promise: that what we consume honors our values, protects our families, and strengthens the spiritual fabric of our people. At Dieters Forum LLC, we see kashrus not just as supervision, but as stewardship—an act of respect, resilience, and responsibility.”