OU sues Maine dairy over use of its symbol

Maine’s Own Organic Milk Co. was inspected in 2010, but refused to pay to receive certification

(JTA) — The Orthodox Union is suing a Maine dairy for illegally using its kosher symbol on its milk cartons.

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America on Wednesday filed a lawsuit in US District Court in Boston against Maine’s Own Organic Milk Co.

The lawsuit says that the Maine dairy has been using its OU symbol, a circle with on “U” inside of it, on milk cartons for years without permission, Reuters reported.

The Orthodox Union inspected the dairy plant in December 2010, six months after it learned that the symbol had been appearing on the milk carton for MOOMilk for years. The company refused to pay to receive certification.

The lawsuit, filed after the OU learned that its symbol remained on the cartons, requests that the products with the certification be removed from store shelves and that the OU receive remuneration for past sales, as well as damages.