FOOD FOR PESACH

Pesach is a time when even the most remote possibility of a restricted ingredient being ingested should be avoided. As even simple items such as table salt, instant tea and fruit juices have been found to contain actual Chametz, preference should always be given to products which have full-time reliable supervision and bear a recognised rabbinic endorsement.

The scrupulous will buy only products bearing full rabbinic supervision.

Due to the many additives and the sophisticated production techniques used in today’s food industry, no processed food item, no matter how simple, and should be used unless there is at least some supervision. All items must have at least a thorough preliminary investigation of ingredients and manufacturing techniques before they can be used. Many items can only be used if changes in ingredients or production techniques are made. Such items will then need full time supervision and may not be used without reliable endorsement.

Other simple items, once they have been found to be free of restricted ingredients or production techniques, may be used without any further supervision being required.

A wide range of local and imported products produced under rabbinic supervision is available. The Kashrut Authority neither investigates nor necessarily endorses any such products. However only items with a “Kosher for Pesach” sign which also bears the name of the supervising authority printed on the package or tin should be used as proof of acceptability for Pesach.

Past experience has shown that stickers bearing the words “Kosher for Passover” has been placed on articles which contain actual Chametz. It is the customer’s own responsibility to ensure that all articles purchased are indeed properly endorsed by a reliable authority. Some Rabbinic authorities rely on leniencies not universally accepted both in regard to Kitniyot, Shemitta and other areas of halacha.The Kashrut Authority issues an annual update listing as to which
Rabbinical bodies it endorses. Many firms produce Matzah and Matzah-meal for year round use and are not always kosher for Pesach. Please ensure that any matzah products used for Pesach bear a reliable Rabbinic “Kosher for Pesach” endorsement, without which they must not be used on Pesach.

Each year the Kashrut Authority issues a list of products locally manufactured that may be used on Pesach.