About us
IKU - KOSHER CERTIFICATIONWhat is IKU, the Italy Kosher Union?
Every year, more than $150 billion worth of kosher-certified products are consumed in the United States, and consumption continues to grow in Europe and Israel as well.
The market for kosher-certified products is not limited to Jews who observe Jewish dietary laws, but also includes Muslims, vegetarians, and millions of people who are lactose intolerant.
According to a view widely shared by marketing experts, kosher certification conveys a sense of safety and reliability to consumers, as it guarantees that products undergo inspections and meet high quality standards.
Whether it involves food products intended for the end consumer, ingredients for industrial processing, or private-label products, kosher certification can help strengthen a brand’s market positioning, enhancing its credibility and fostering market share growth.
Today, kosher certification still represents a niche market, but its value extends far beyond the commercial sphere: it is a system that, in addition to serving as an important point of reference and a potential “opinion leader,” is an expression of millennia-old cultures, traditions, and practices.
Our Mission
IKU utilizes state-of-the-art technology. In Italy, the number of companies seeking kosher certification is growing rapidly.
IKU is increasingly attuned to the needs of applicant companies and, in addition to rabbis who are experts in Jewish law, employs experts in various sectors of food production. For a product to be certified kosher, it must meet rigorous quality standards, and all stages of production must comply with the laws of kashrut (Jewish dietary laws).
Compliance with these rules is periodically verified by experts at the production site, and the certification (which has an expiration date and must be renewed periodically) can be revoked at any time if the required guarantees are no longer met.
For this reason, Italy Kosher Union utilizes modern and digital methods and personnel, in addition to specialized staff. We are a point of reference for other U.S. agencies and rank among the most important in the world.
Staff of Italy Kosher Union
Our staff is available to provide the food industry with information and quotes.
Dr. Meyer Piha
Dr. Meyer Piha (www.italyjewishguide.it) serves as the coordinator and administrator of IKU and is a professor in the Master’s programs in Food Safety and Kosher Food Safety (Level II Master’s program – Letter of Thanks).
Contact: iku.okmeyer@gmail.com
Rabbi Levi Piha
Rabbi and IKU Coordinator for Turin and Piedmont. He earned his rabbinical degree in New York and has extensive experience in kashrut in Melbourne (Australia); in Vancouver, he worked in kosher supervision and also in Alaska. He studied in Israel, London, Montreal, and elsewhere.
Contact: lpicha770@gmail.com
Rabbi Yisrael Piha
Rabbi is the IKU Coordinator for Central-Southern Italy and the Islands. He graduated from the renowned Rabbinical Yeshiva in Melbourne (Australia) and holds a rabbinical degree from the United States. He earned his Shochet certification (as a kosher meat inspector) in Netivot, Israel. He currently lives in Rome and has been awarded a scholarship as a Shochet for the Community of Rome. With experience in Paraguay, he recently joined the IKU staff as a supervisor and rabbinical coordinator for Central and Southern Italy.
Contact: yisroelpiha@gmail.com
Rabbi Yiacov Piha
My rabbinical training began at the Yeshiva in Tzfat, where I received my semicha. Throughout my journey, I had the opportunity to study in Cincinnati, Montreal, and finally at Yeshiva ‘770’ in New York—a particularly meaningful period, as it coincided with my marriage. After working at the Yeshiva in Pocono, Pennsylvania, I am now continuing my studies at the Kollel in Kingston.
Dr. Leon Varon
Coordinator of kosher food and non-food production processes; analyst of eligibility requirements for companies seeking kosher certification. Assists with audits required by leading certification bodies worldwide. Guides clients toward achieving kosher certification, including by suggesting any necessary changes to production processes.
Contact: leon.varon@libero.it
IKU Kosher Certification offers
Kosher consulting tailored to specific business needs
Kosher Certification for Businesses
Extensive expertise in:
– ingredient analysis
– facility analysis
A reliable solution for your kosher certification needs
Fun Facts… Kosher Certifications Around the World
OU Kosher Certification: OU Kosher is the world’s largest kosher certification organization, certifying over 250,000 products manufactured in nearly 5,000 facilities located in more than 60 countries.
The OU seal, one of the most renowned in the world, immediately enhances the public’s perception of product quality globally, with positive implications for marketing as well. OU Kosher stands out among all kosher certification organizations because it is part of a nonprofit organization (founded in 1898) that enables it to maintain the highest standards of integrity, completely free of any conflicts of interest.
It is represented by 500 rabbis working in the field throughout Europe and around the world—from America to Australia, from the Far East to South Africa—who possess expertise and experience in modern food production techniques and in chemical and biological processes at least equal to their knowledge of complex Jewish laws.
The staff at the New York headquarters consists of 50 coordinating rabbis who serve as account managers for OU-certified companies, assisted by ingredient specialists, flavor analysts, and other staff members.
A state-of-the-art computer system collects and ensures the traceability of information on products and ingredients.