Passover Laws: Chametz, Kitniyot, Medicines and Daily Products

With the development of the modern food industry, almost all food products require Passover certification, since it is very common for actual chametz to be present among the ingredients. In addition, packaging is sometimes done using machines that previously handled chametz products.

However, items that were already unfit for consumption (even by a dog) before Passover do not have the halachic status of chametz. They may be kept and used during Passover (although not eaten). Therefore, cleaning products, shoe polish, shampoo, body soap, laundry detergent, and cosmetics do not require Passover certification.

Dishwashing liquid used for Passover dishes is also permitted in principle even without Passover certification, since it is unfit for consumption and the dishes are rinsed thoroughly afterward. Nevertheless, it is preferable to use a dishwashing liquid that has Passover certification.

Toothpaste technically does not require Passover certification, but ideally one should purchase toothpaste that is certified for Passover use.

Legumes (Kitniyot)

A. Legumes are not considered chametz and are permitted after careful checking to ensure that no wheat or other grains are mixed in. This is the custom among Sephardic communities.
Ashkenazic custom, however, is to refrain from eating legumes during Passover out of concern that grains may be mixed in.

Some Sephardim also avoid certain legumes, such as chickpeas. If someone wishes to discontinue such a personal custom for health or similar reasons, it may be permitted through formal annulment.

B. A Sephardi whose parents refrained from legumes may adopt the general Sephardic custom of eating legumes after marriage, even without formal annulment.

C. Even those who do not eat legumes may keep them in the house during Passover and do not need to include them in the sale of chametz.

D. An Ashkenazic woman who marries someone who eats legumes may, according to strict law, adopt her husband’s custom. Still, it is proper to perform a formal annulment before doing so.

E. Rice has the same status as other legumes, but because grains are often mixed into rice, it should be checked three times before cooking.

F. Even those who avoid legumes may eat food cooked in utensils that were used for legumes. Therefore, when visiting others who eat legumes, they may eat from their dishes as long as the food itself contains no legumes.

Rich Matza (Matzah Ashirah)

G. Rich matza made from flour mixed only with fruit juice (without water) is permitted during Passover according to Sephardic custom, while Ashkenazim generally avoid it.

Medications

H. A person who is ill, even without life-threatening danger but whose entire body is weakened, may swallow medications that contain chametz if the taste is unpleasant and already considered unfit for consumption before Passover. Ideally, such medications should be purchased from a pharmacy owned by a non-Jew, and one should try to obtain chametz-free alternatives when possible.

If the illness is minor, medications containing chametz should not be used. Medicines with pleasant taste, such as syrups or lozenges that contain chametz, are forbidden even for a seriously ill person unless there is danger.

I. A person whose life is in danger may take medication containing chametz if no alternative exists, and should not be stringent in such a case. When purchasing, one should intend not to acquire ownership of the chametz component.

Animal Food

J. Animal food that is actual chametz may not be kept or used during Passover. However, food containing only a chametz mixture made before Passover and unfit for human consumption may be kept and used to feed one’s animals.

Cigarettes