Boston, MA – The Jewish group that oversees kosher certification marks on food packaging sued a Maine dairy in federal court, alleging the company has been using the marks on its milk cartons for years without authorization.
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The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America sued Maine’s Own Organic Milk Co on Wednesday in Boston, seeking an injunction blocking the further sale of marked products, as well as an accounting of past sales and damages.
The Orthodox Union owns and administers the familiar Kosher certification stamp, which is rendered as a U inside a circle and referred to as the “OU mark.”
According to the suit, the group learned in June 2010 that Maine’s Own was selling milk with the stamp without authorization and contacted the company asking it to stop.
After a back-and-forth with company executives, the Orthodox Union inspected the dairy’s facilities in December 2010 and sent the company paperwork for its certification in January 2011. But according to the suit, the company balked at the cost of certification and ultimately did not pay.
The Orthodox Union said it learned in March 2012 that Maine’s Own, also known as MOOMilk, was still using the OU mark on its cartons.
An executive at MOOMilk referred requests for comment to Chief Executive Bill Eldrige, who could not immediately be reached.
Late last year, the company received a loan from Whole Foods Markets, as part of that company’s financial support program for local producers, so that it could increase production.
The case is Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America vs. Maine’s Own Organic Milk Co L3C, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, No. 12-10648.
If they cheat on the OU then they must cheat on the Organic. More money on Organic than kosher
The OU has to defend its trademark.
yeah but organic is a higher demand than kosher
If the plant was inspected and not found wanting, the only thing they disagree about is the “price” demanded by the OU for their trademark. In other words, this is blackmail and nothing more. Lets see this one go to court so all the sordid details can be made public. How much “tribute” did the OU demand? How much do they demand from other milk producers nationwide? At what point does the OU get charged with restraint of trade and market manipulation?
This is a very rare case, indeed; usually, some companies will balk at kosher certification. This company, on its own volition (because it knew that it is better for business), inserted the OU symbol. However, if it wishes to legitimately become certified, it must be willing to pay for certification. If not, the OU symbol must be removed.