Which Products Need Kosher for Passover Certification?

Today, many products that appear natural actually undergo industrial processing. Because of this, questions can arise regarding their kosher status for Passover. It is therefore important to ensure that every product purchased for Passover carries proper Passover certification. Any product without such certification should be treated as potentially containing chametz.

Following are several examples that illustrate this concern.

How Industrial Processing Changes “Natural” Foods

Apples

An apple picked directly from a backyard tree will usually last only about a week. However, apples sold in markets often remain fresh for several weeks. How is this possible?

In factories, apples are washed to remove their natural wax coating and then coated with chemical wax. They are also placed in ovens at around 35°C to extend their shelf life.

Note: This wax does not present a chametz concern. The example is simply intended to illustrate how industrial processes can change foods.

Strawberry Jam

When jam is made at home, the color, texture, and sweetness vary from batch to batch. However, store-bought jam containing fruit usually has a consistent color, flavor, and texture.

This is because commercial jam often includes flavor extracts, food coloring, and stabilizers.

Pickles and Other Preserved Foods

When pickling cucumbers at home, the color and level of sourness often vary. Commercial pickles, however, maintain a consistent color and flavor. This consistency is achieved through added flavor extracts and food coloring.

Ingredients That May Contain Chametz

Flavor extracts can contain more than thirty different components, some of which may include chametz or kitniyot (legumes). Food coloring may also contain ingredients derived from chametz.

Stabilizing agents frequently contain starch, which may come from wheat, corn, or potatoes. When chemists analyze the product, they cannot easily determine the original source of the starch. Therefore starch is often treated as a possible chametz concern.

Examples include:

• Instant chicken soup powders and quick soups, which may contain up to 80 percent starch.

• Chocolate spreads and other spreads such as hummus, which may contain more than 20 percent starch.

• The sweetener glucose, often produced from legumes, which may be problematic for those who avoid kitniyot.

• Dextrose, which is derived from starch.

When shopping for Passover, it is therefore important to check that products carry reliable Passover certification.

Products That Require Passover Certification

Meat and Fish

Fresh meat or fish generally do not require Passover certification as they do not undergo industrial processing.

Frozen meat or fish, however, do require Passover certification. Modern frozen meat often contains injected water, sometimes up to 10 percent. To help the water absorb into the meat, phosphates are often injected.

In some cases soy protein or starch is added to maintain the required nutritional standards. Because the starch may come from wheat, it may pose a chametz concern.

The same issue applies to processed meat, ground meat, sausages, and canned fish.

Cheese

Cheese requires Passover certification. Modern cheese production uses fermentation cultures, and additional substances may be added to increase bacterial growth. Some of these additives can contain chametz.

Sauces, Spreads, and Spices

Many sauces such as ketchup, date spreads, chocolate spreads, and jams contain starches. Spices may also contain flour or starch. These products require Passover certification.

Soy and Canola Oil

Soy and canola oil require special Passover certification because wheat grains may become mixed into the production process.

Paper Products That Touch Food

Paper products may contain starch mixtures. For this reason, any paper product that comes into contact with food should ideally have Passover certification. This includes paper cups, cupcake liners, baking paper, paper towels, and similar items.

Paper used only for printing does not require certification.

Household Cleaning Products

The sages taught that food which is not fit even for a dog to eat is not considered food. Household cleaning products therefore do not require Passover certification.

Pet Food

If the food is repulsive for human consumption and there is no concern that a person might eat it, it does not require Passover certification. Fish food and parrot food generally fall into this category.

Dog food, however, may be edible for humans and therefore requires Passover certification.

Toothpaste, Cosmetics, and Personal Care

Ideally, toothpaste used during Passover should have Passover certification. However, in cases of need, one may continue using regular toothpaste used throughout the year. Medical dental products such as denture adhesive may also be used.

Makeup does not require Passover certification.

Creams generally do not require certification, although Ashkenazic authorities sometimes recommend stricter practice.

Lipstick or lip balm without flavor does not require certification. If it contains flavoring, Passover certification is required.

Dental floss and toothpicks without flavor do not require certification, but flavored versions should have Passover certification.

Dried Fruits

Most dried fruits undergo various production processes, and it is recommended to purchase them with Passover certification.

Examples include:

• Prunes: Often soaked in mineral oil baths to restore moisture and flavor. Citric acid derived from chametz may sometimes be added.

• Cranberries: Regular cranberries coated only with sunflower oil may be acceptable for those who eat kitniyot. Unsweetened cranberries require certification because they are often sweetened with apple concentrate containing flavor extracts.

• Figs: Usually coated only with sugar and may be permitted, though they often have serious insect concerns.

• Dates: Often coated with glucose that may come from corn, potatoes, or legumes.

• Apricots: Treated with sulfuric acid, which is chemically pure but may raise questions when used in cooking.

• Raisins: Generally lack oil coating, though questions may arise when cooked.

Sugar, Sweeteners, Salt, and Tea

Sugar sometimes requires certification because some packaging factories process sugar in the same facility as flour. If packaging is separate, it may not require certification.

Stevia liquid requires Passover certification, while stevia leaves do not. Sucralose is generally kosher for Passover but Saccharin requires Passover certification.

Powdered sugar requires certification because it contains starch.

Salt should ideally have Passover certification because some factories grind it in equipment previously used for flour.

Tea requires Passover certification as it may contain flavor extracts and starch.

Olive Oil

Olive oil used for eating should ideally have Passover certification. Although Spanish law prohibits mixing other oils into products labeled 100 percent olive oil, oils produced elsewhere may contain mixtures such as canola or soy oil.

Olive oil used only for lighting does not require Passover certification.

Coffee

Regular instant coffee generally does not require Passover certification. Flavored instant coffee, such as vanilla or mocha, does require certification.

Black coffee does not require Passover certification as it only undergoes roasting and grinding.

Nuts and Seeds

Raw nuts that are not roasted may generally be eaten on Passover. However, shelled walnuts may be treated with antioxidants to prevent spoilage.

It is best to purchase nuts in sealed packages with Passover certification.

Soft Drinks

All carbonated beverages require Passover certification. Diet beverages also require certification.

Products That Generally Do Not Require Passover Certification

Rice and other legumes for those who eat kitniyot may be used if carefully checked before Passover. Dry legumes do not undergo industrial processing and may be used.

Wheat, bulgur, and pearl barley should not be used at all, as cooking them creates full chametz.

Frozen vegetables such as peas, carrots, okra, and corn generally do not present a problem. However frozen artichokes may be treated with anti-browning agents derived from chametz.

Plastic and Styrofoam disposable items such as cups, plates, and trays do not require certification because they are not coated with starch.

Medicines and Syrups

Those with chronic illnesses who must take medication regularly may take their medicine even if it contains chametz, because preserving life overrides the prohibition.

For mild illness, flavorless pills may be taken if no Passover alternative exists.

Syrups require Passover certification because they contain flavor. However life-saving treatment is always permitted.

Inhalers, eye drops, ear drops, suppositories, injections, and topical ointments may generally be used.

Wishing every Jewish home a kosher and joyful Passover.