A partial Pesach product list follows. I have tried to include as much detailed information as possible, but it still remains a partial list. Further, it follows the Ashkenazi custom of avoiding kitniyot on Pesach. If you have any questions, you can call me to check on a particular product.
Jews with Diabetes face special challenges over Pesach. The Star K & Jewish Diabetes Association have prepared very helpful guides of Halacha, advice – and recipes! Please see the following links for more information:
http://www.jewishdiabetes.org/
http://star-k.org/kashrus/kk-passover-diabetics.htm (Pages 61-68)
Of course, you can call me with any additional questions you may have at (516) 902-6346 or send me an e-mail me at [email protected]. Due to the high volume of questions at this time of year, it may take some time before I’m able to get back to you. Text messages will likely receive the quickest responses.
Product Information:
Air Freshener: Does not require Pesach Certification. However, Phthalates, used as a solvent to strengthen the presence of fragrance in many such products, are known endocrine disruptors and should be limited regardless of Pesach concerns.
Alcohol: See: Rubbing alcohol
Aluminum Foil and Pans: Do not require Pesach Certification.
Ammonia: Does not require Pesach Certification
Artificial/Alternative Sweeteners: The following brands may be used: Pure Aspartame (not Equal), Kojel Kosher L’ Pesach Sweet N’ Good, Splenda, Leiber’s Kosher L’Pesach Sugar Substitute, Sweet N’ Low, Gefen OUP, V.I.P. Master OUP.
Agave – 100% does not require Pesach Certification. Others require Pesach certification
Maple Syrup – 100% pure maple syrup does not require Pesach Certification.
Others require Pesach certification
Truvia – Not acceptable for Pesach
Baby Foods: Formula – Ashkenazim can use formula with kitniyot for infants. Enfamil, Prosobee, Carnation, Isomil, Similac, and many other brands contain kitniyot. However, they (and others like them) may be used without special Pesach certification. This applies to both powder and liquid varieties. For a complete listing of acceptable, kitniyot-based formulas see:
http://oukosher.org/index.php/passover/article/5710
Please note that two Enfamil products, Nutramigel Lipil and Pregestimil, along with Alimentum, contain non-kosher ingredients. One should consult with one’s doctor and the Rabbi before using them.
Jars – May Require Pesach Certification. However, many products may be used without Pesach certification. Please consult the Rabbi for more details.
Cereals – Cereals that do not have wheat, barley, spelt, oat, or rye ingredients are acceptable if purchased before Pesach.
Pedialite- Pedialite, Pediaflor and Pediasure contain kitniyot, but not actual chametz. See "formula" for usage.
Baby Oil, Lotions and Medicated Ointments: Do not require Pesach Certification.
Baby Wipes: Do not require Pesach Certification.
Baking Powder: Requires Pesach Certification.
Baking Soda: Does not require Pesach Certification.
Bleach: Does not require Pesach Certification.
Braces: Wax used for braces is OK for Pesach use. See below under "rubber bands".
Candy: Requires Pesach Certification. Speak with the Rabbi for specific candies that are acceptable without Pesach certification.
Chapstick: May be used if new and unflavored.
Cigars: Flavored cigars may contain chametz-based alcohol. This is not an endorsement of smoking cigars.
Cocoa: Any 100% pure cocoa (no additives or lecithin) does not require Pesach certification. Organic or fair-trade chocolates are strongly preferred to those that source from child-labor and human trafficking. It’s the Festival of Freedom! Fox’s Ubet sources its chocolate ethically, and Equal Exchange sells several lines of Kosher for Passover chocolate available for purchase on the internet.
Coconut: Shredded coconut requires Pesach Certification.
Virgin Unrefined Coconut Oil does not require Pesach certification.
Coffee: Instant: 100% freeze-dried instant coffee is acceptable. Spray dried instant coffee Requires Pesach Certification (concern over the spray dry process), except for Classic Roast Unflavored Folgers (not decaffeinated) and Original Unflavored Nescafe Taster’s choice (not decaffeinated). See here for an explanation of how to tell the difference between spray and freeze-dried instant coffee (https://www.aquaspresso.co.za/instant-coffee-explained/). Elite and Gefen can be used only with an OUP. Mount Hagen may be used without Pesach certification.
Coffee “Singles”: Require Pesach Certification, except for Classic Roast Unflavored Folgers (not decaffeinated) and Original Unflavored Nescafe Taster’s choice (not decaffeinated).
Regular & Decaf: All unflavored caffeinated ground or whole bean coffees may be used on Pesach without special Pesach Certification. All unflavored decaffeinated coffees may be on Pesach without special Pesach Certification (Some authorities are concerned that ethyl acetate is sometimes used for decaffeination. While Ethyl acetate is produced from reactions using Ethanol, which can, in theory, be produced from wheat, this is an extremely uncommon source of Ethanol production in the U.S.; moreover, the Ethyl Acetate remains only in infinitesimal quantities in the final product in any event. This is why some suggest caution with decaffeinated teas and coffees).
Flavored: Requires Pesach Certification.
Cosmetics: Do not require Pesach certification. However, some are strict about flavored lipsticks.
Dates: Require Pesach Certification as their “glaze” may be problematic.
Dental Floss: Any unflavored dental floss does not require Pesach Certification.
Dill: Seeds - Are considered kitniyot
Leaves - Are not kitniyot and may be used without special Pesach Certification
Dishwashing Detergent: Does not require Pesach Certification.
Eggs: Fresh - Do not require Pesach Certification. Since commercial eggs are bleached and/or cleaned, they may be purchased on Pesach as there is no concern of chametz attaching to the egg. Likewise, there is no concern that any chametz consumed by the hen is meaningfully present in the egg.
Liquid - Requires Pesach Certification
Fennel: Seeds - Are considered kitniyot
Leaves - Are not kitniyot and may be used without special Pesach Certification
Fenugreek: According to many, it is considered a kitniyot spice. See “spices”.
Fish: Frozen, Unprocessed - Does not require special Pesach Certification if there are no other ingredients besides fish, water and salt.
Frozen, Processed (including gefilte fish) – Requires Pesach Certification.
Fresh - Does not require special Pesach Certification.
Tuna – Many brands do not require Pesach certification; please consult the Rabbi. Many “generic” and “kosher” brands have special Pesach certification.
Flour: Tempered flour, soaked with water to produce a cleaner flour, was used in Talmudic times and Rava even required it for matzo (Pesachim 40a). The Geonim, however, issued a ban on using tempered flour for matzo due to a lack of expertise in flour processing and the fact that it was soaked for several hours in water and might cause cracking and leavening. There are, essentially, three (3) positions amongst poskim regarding modern day flour. 1) It is prohibited, as per rule of the Geonim, and should be treated as Chametz. 2) These days, it is not fully soaked but treated with a gentle spray, and should therefore be treated as safeik chametz. Importantly, according to this opinion, those who are stringent not to sell bona fide chametz could still sell their flour. This is the stated position of the Orthodox Union. 3) The spray is so light (there is not even any visible moisture) that it is not comparable to the flour banned by the Geonim and therefore not chametz. This is the position of the Rabbi.
Fruit: Frozen - whole or sliced, without additives or syrup - does not require Pesach Certification.
Canned - Requires Pesach Certification
Fresh - Wax on whole, unpeeled produce may contain kitniyot, but the kitniyot are nullified and not a problem at all.
Dried - Requires Pesach Certification (chametz flour may be used to prevent sticking).
Raisins – see “raisins”
Food Coloring: May require Pesach certification. An increasing number of studies have raised serious concern regarding various negative health effects from certain artificial food dyes; consumers should beware. Plant-based food dyes may be Kosher for Passover without special certification; please consult with the Rabbi on a case by case basis.
Garlic: Fresh – Does not require Pesach Certification
Peeled – Requires Pesach Certification
Glue: Any glue does not require Pesach Certification.
Grains: There is concern that wheat, barley, spelt, oats, or rye, if still in the form of grain, may have come into contact with water and might have begun a leavening process. If so, they should be disposed of even if they have not been converted into flour. However, flax and hemp are not chametz.
Halvah: Only acceptable for those who eat kitniyot due to the presence of Tahini.
Honey: Any brand of 100% pure honey is acceptable for Pesach. Some brands add corn syrup, (which some permit as shemen kitniyot or a new world food, and by definition not kiniyot, and some forbid as kitniyot)
Horseradish: Raw – Does not require Pesach Certification
Processed – Requires Pesach Certification
Ice: Bags from plain water do not require Pesach Certification.
Ices/Ice Cream: Generally Require Pesach Certification. Some Edy’s and Breyer’s products are acceptable for Pesach use. Please consult Rabbi to discuss which flavors are acceptable.
Juice: Frozen - 100% pure orange concentrate (All other juices – including grapefruit - require certification as enzymes are used in processing) does not require special certification.
Liquid - requires Pesach Certification. Trader Joe’s Orange Juice and select other Trader Joe’s juices do not require Pesach certification (please consult me if you are interested in purchasing). Tropicana Orange Juice requires Pesach certification.
Lemon/Lime - ReaLemon brand is OK without special Pesach Certification. (Liquid only -not frozen). Natalie’s Orange Juice is acceptable without Pesach certification.
Grape –Please note that Kedem grape juice sold in the 1.5-liter glass bottles is not mevushal.
Kitniyot: Due to the stringency of not eating chametz on Pesach, Ashkenazic Jews have developed a custom not to eat Kitniyot (legumes) on Pesach. Kitniyot include alfalfa, anise, ascorbic acid (may actually contain chametz), asparatame (Nutrasweet) according to some, bean sprouts, beans, BHA, BHT, black eyed peas, buckwheat, calcium ascorbate, canola oil, caraway, chickpeas, citric acid (may actually be chametz), coriander, corn (according to some, it is a new world food, and therefore not kitniyot), corn oil (according to some), corn syrup (according to some), cumin (according to some), dextrose, dill seeds, edamame, fennel, fenugreek (according to some), flax seeds (according to some), guar gum, hemp, hydrolyzed vegetable oil, HVP, kasha, kimmel, lecithin, lentils, licorice, lucerne, lupine, maltodextrins (chametz or kitniyot derived), millet, MSG (according to some), mustard, peas, polysorbates (may actually be chametz), popcorn (according to some, see corn), poppy seeds, rice, sesame seeds, snow peas, sodium citrate (may actually be chametz), sodium erythorbate (may actually be chametz), sorbitol (could be chametz if outside the U.S.), sorghum, soy oil (according to some), soy, string beans, sunflower seeds, tofu (from soy), vetch, vetching, wild rice, xanthan gum (may actually be chametz). Many Kitniyot products on the market are certified as Kosher for Passover, especially those from Israel, France and other European countries. Also, the Orthodox Union certifies a full line of products l’ochlei kitniyot (for those who eat Kitniyot). Please consult with your Rabbi regarding any questions you may have.
Not Kitniyot – Amaranth, dill leaves, fennel leaves, peanuts (though some have a custom to be stringent), corn (according to some, including Rabbi Dolinger), pumpkin seeds, quinoa (see below), saffron (though some have a custom not to eat saffron for other reasons), and teff. Some prohibit kitniyot derivatives, such as corn syrup (if one holds that corn is kitniyot in the first place), whereas other permit kitniyot derivatives (Rav Kook zt’’l, others), especially if they are a minority ingredient (Rema) and not recognizable.
Lactaid: See “milk”
Laundry Detergent: Does not require Pesach certification.
Matzot: Egg Matzot - Matzot made with fruit juice or eggs, which include “Kosher for Pesach” Egg Matzot, egg Matzah crackers, etc. may not be eaten on Pesach by healthy Ashkenazim. Even the sick and elderly cannot fulfill their obligation at the Seder with these matzot.
Streit’s Products - All Streit's products made in the United States and Canada are under Kof-K certification regardless of whether the Kof-K symbol appears on the package.
Grape Matzot - Sold by Manischewitz, have the same halachot as egg matzot. In addition, Manischewitz sells Passover Tam Tam crackers that are also made from egg dough and must be treated accordingly. Manischewitz also sells Tam Tam crackers made from flour and water that can be eaten by all. Matzah sticks (Kedem) and matzah crackers (Kedem and Manischewitz) are ordinary matzah products and can be eaten by all.
Spelt & Oat– Kosher for Passover hand and machine shemurah matzah are available at http://www.lakewoodmatzoh.com; they certify that certain varieties are gluten-free for those with gluten allergies. They can be purchased this year at many kosher supermarkets. Please note: Due to uncertainty in identifying grains in the Mishna, those who can should fulfill the mitzva with wheat matzo, not oat matzo. However, oat matzo is perfectly acceptable for those with gluten-free diets.
Margarine: Requires Pesach Certification.
Meat: Fresh - Does not require special Pesach Certification.
Frozen - Does not require special Pesach Certification.
Medicine: All – Medicine does not require Pesach certification, as it is not eaten in the normal way of benefitting, according to most authorities. This applies to pills that are swallowed, pills that are chewable, and liquid medicines. Even flavored medicines are dangerous if consumed in large quantities and eaten not for the flavor but for the medical value. This applies both to medicines and supplements, and whether one is very ill or only slightly ill.
Milk: Fresh - Does not require Pesach Certification. Unflavored milk in the United States may be purchased on or before Pesach without special certification. Flavored milks require Pesach Certification.
Lactaid - Can be purchased on or before Pesach for those with Lactose intolerance. Both chewable and non-chewable lactaid pills are acceptable.
Powdered- Powdered milk is acceptable.
Soy and Rice – Are kitniyot, and should be used only by Ashkenazim who are ill. However, some brands contain actual chametz. The following brands do not contain actual chametz: Vitasoy San Sui Original Natural, Soy Dream Original un-enriched. These products may be purchased before Pesach for those who need them.
Mouthwash: Does not require Pesach certification. It is not eaten for benefit, is dangerous if consumed in that way, and is used for health purposes.
Mushrooms: Raw – Do not require Pesach Certification
Canned – Require Pesach Certification.
Mustard: Actual mustard is not permitted for Ashkenazim on Pesach because its seed grows like kitniyot. Rokeach produces substitute mustard-like product that is certified for Pesach.
Nail Polish Remover: Does not require Pesach Certification.
Nutritional supplements: Many supplements contain kitniyot but may be consumed by those that need them. A few general guidelines: Unflavored products are preferable to flavored ones. The following products should not be used: Jevity 1.2 or 1.5 with oat fiber, Promote with Fiber, Benefiber, or Ensure Fiber with FOS.
Nuts: Must be free of added preservatives and other additives. Products coated or sprayed with BHT or BHA should not be used on Pesach. Raw whole, chopped or ground nuts (e.g. walnuts, almonds, etc.) without added preservatives or other additives such as BHT or BHA are approved for Passover. Note: Midget Pecans & Pecan Pieces require Pesach Certification, as they are soaked in Chametz during processing. Peanuts are not kitniyot (Rav Moshe Feinstein), but some have the custom to refrain from eating peanuts.
Oils: Cottonseed oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil and safflower oil may be used for Passover. Canola oil is considered kitniyot by some and is subject to debate. My position (following Rav Kook zt’’l) is that all kitniyot oils are permissible on Passover. Any brand of 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil may be used without certification.
Oven Cleaner: Does not require Pesach Certification.
Paper Goods: Napkins: Do not require Pesach Certification.
Plastic - Does not require Pesach Certification.
Paper – Does not require Pesach Certification.
Parchment paper – Does not require Pesach Certification (corn liquor used commercially to feed the microbial source of the citric acid used in the silicone coating is not problematic as kitniyot are only prohibited when eaten)
Biodegradable Plates – Many have raised concerns, as they often use corn in the production of biodegradable and compostable plates; these concerns have no basis in Jewish law. Corn is, at worst, kitniyot, and therefore only possibly prohibited as a food, but not for other benefit. Moreover, there is no discernable flavor of corn that enters from the plate. When using disposable plates, it is absolutely preferable to use more environmentally sustainable options, in the spirit of learning to be free and responsible human beings.
Paper Towels: May have starch-based glue at beginning and end. (Some suggest not using the first three and last three sheets.) It is, however, totally acceptable to be lenient and use normally.
Pet Food: See section seven below.
Pumpkin: Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds are not considered kitniyot. They may be used without special Pesach Certification if they are raw and without additives.
Quinoa: Quinoa is permissible on Pesach, and is not considered kitniyot. Some are stringent and check to make sure extraneous prohibited grain has not cross-contaminated. In that case, one layer of quinoa should be spread on a board or plate and checked for any foreign matter.
Pasta: Even pasta without chametz ingredients may be manufactured in the same machines as regular pasta and may not be used without Pesach Certification or without verifying that it was produced on segregated equipment.
Raisins: Do not require Pesach certification.
Rice: May only be eaten by those who eat kitniyot. Many Sepahrdic and Mizrachi Jews who eat rice check first for cross-contamination from other grains before using. (Interestingly, the Talmud records that rice-based dishes were actually present on the Seder plate as one of the cooked dishes!)
Rubber Gloves: Permissible for Passover.
Rubbing Alcohol: Any isopropyl or synthetic (acetyl-, lanolin-, benzyl- and methyl-) may be used.
Salads: Pre-Washed salads are kosher for Passover without special Pesach Certification. However, many contain kitniyot (such as peas), so one should check all of the salad ingredients carefully.
Salt: Non-iodized, without dextrose, iodine or polysorbates, does not require Pesach Certification. Iodized salt is often processed with corn derivatives; it is acceptable for Passover according to many authorities, though some are customarily stringent. Sea salt does not require Pesach Certification. No salt substitutes are available.
Seltzer: Flavored: Requires Pesach Certification if natural flavors or other vague terms are listed in the ingredient list. All flavors of Vintage Seltzer are acceptable.
Unflavored: Does not require Pesach certification.
Silver Polish: Does not require Pesach certification.
Soda: Coca-Cola: Special Pesach certification not required (corn syrup is merely a derivative of kitniyot according to those who hold that corn is kitniyot and is permissible when not the majority according to the Rema). However, special Pesach production is made with real sugar instead of corn syrup for those who are strict, and is noted by a yellow cap or the lid of the can. This includes Sprite, Diet Sprite and Seagram’s Ginger Ale.
Pepsi Cola: Same as Coca-Cola. Special Pesach production is also made with real sugar instead of corn syrup.
Spices: Does not require Pesach Certification per se. Many are acceptable without special Pesach certification (speak to Rabbi).
Sugar: White - All pure, granulated cane sugar without dextrose - does not require Pesach Certification.
Brown – Requires Pesach Certification. Domino’s Dark Brown Sugar, Light
Brown Sugar, and Golden Light Brown Sugar are acceptable without special certification.
Confectioner’s – Requires Pesach Certification. Domino’s Confectioner’s Sugar is acceptable without special certification.
Substitute – See Artificial Sweeteners.
Vanilla – Requires Pesach Certification
Tablecloths: Should be washed and laundered, and then may be used on Pesach (even if the stains do not come out). The same is true for aprons, bibs, potholders, etc.
Teas: Regular/Decaffeinated - Does not require Pesach Certification. (Some authorities are concerned that ethyl acetate is sometimes used for decaffeination. While Ethyl acetate is produced from reactions using Ethanol, which can, in theory, be produced from wheat, this is an extremely uncommon source of Ethanol production in the U.S.; moreover, the Ethyl Acetate remains only in infinitesimal quantities in the final product in any event. This is why some suggest caution with decaffeinated teas and coffees). Flavored – The following are acceptable: Wissotzky teas with OUP, Swee-Touch-Nee Herbal Caffeine-free Seren-I-Tea with OUP, Good Earth with OUP, G’Day Herbal Teas with Star-K, and Wissotzky with OUP. Many flavors of Celestial Seasonings teas are also acceptable (speak with Rabbi). Whole leaf teas made exclusively from Kosher for Passover ingredients are always acceptable.
Instant - Nestea regular and decaffeinated without sweetener may be used without special Pesach Certification. Any pure whole-leaf tea is Kosher for Passover.
Thickening Products: See “Nutritional supplements” above
Toiletries: Toiletries which are inedible and not put in the mouth do not need Passover Certification. This includes deodorants, perfumes, shampoos and most cosmetics (see “cosmetics”).
Toothpaste: Does not need Pesach certification.
Toothpicks: Any wood or plastic (unflavored and uncoated) may be used.
Vegetables: Frozen - Many are packaged with gluten. Also, the same equipment may be used during the year to make pasta products. Bodek (OUP), Garden Pure (OUP), Meitav (OUP), B-Tam Star KP are some acceptable brands specially certified for Pesach. Trader Joe’s brand of frozen vegetables are also acceptable, as are any others which are explicitly labeled gluten-free.
Canned – Does not require Pesach Certification. Ashkenazim should be careful to avoid kitniyot.
Fresh uncut: Does not need Pesach Certification, but should be rinsed before use
Fresh cut and packaged – See “salads”
Vegetable Wash: May contain kitniyot and requires Pesach Certification according to some. The Rabbi feels it is acceptable even for Ashkenazim.
Vinegar: Requires Pesach Certification. Many brands do not require special Pesach certification (speak with Rabbi).
Vitamins: See “medicines” (under “capsules”). They are permissible for Passover.
Water: Any fresh, bottled, spring or distilled water that is unflavored does not need Pesach Certification. Added fluoride or minerals do not present a problem.
Water Filters: Do not need special Passover Certification.
Wax: (including wax for braces) Does not require Pesach Certification
Wine: All Kosher wines are acceptable for Pesach. However, some may contain corn syrup (kitniyot), and many are strict. The most preferable Seder wines are red, not mevushal, and have no added water or sweeteners.
Yogurt: In addition to those with Kosher for Passover certification, many specific brands and flavors are acceptable (speak to Rabbi). Concerns about potential chametz sources of food for the bacterial cultures are not halachically relevant as such sources are no longer present in the final product, nifsal (invalidated) when they are inedible during certain stages of processing, and likely not based on chametz in the first instance.
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