New York, NY- OU Files Law Suit Against an Olive Oil Compnay.

New York, NY – 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. [WP]