Medicines

Pesach Products Directory 2010

Please read the following carefully:

1 This information booklet deals with food items and other products which may be used on Pesach. For details of how to prepare your home for Pesach and fulfil the mitzvot of the Seder, see the Pesach Handbook. Pesach is a time when even the most remote possibility of a questionable ingredient 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 with recognised rabbinic endorsement. Therefore it is customary, where possible to buy only products bearing full rabbinic supervision.

2 Due to the many additives and the sophisticated production techniques used in today’s food industry, no processed food item, no matter how simple, should be used unless there is at least some kashrut investigation or 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, may be used without any further supervision. These items do not have full-time supervision, but thorough investigation indicates that they are acceptable for Pesach use if purchased in sealed packs. However, in order to eliminate even the remote possibility of even a minute amount of Chametz which on Pesach itself cannot be nullified, all these products should be purchased before Pesach begins.

3 A wide range of local and imported products are produced under rabbinic supervision from other communities. 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” have been placed on articles which contain actual Chametz. It is the customer’s
responsibility to ensure that all articles purchased are indeed properly endorsed by a reliable authority. One should not rely on the shopkeepers however well intentioned they may be.

4. Some rabbinic authorities rely on leniencies not universally accepted both in regard to Kitniyot, Shemittah and other areas of halachah.

5. Be careful to carefully read the labels to see whether the product is kitniyot free. The Kashrut Authority recommends the Pesach supervision of the overseas rabbinic bodies listed on page 4 and their products are used at Kashrut Authority establishments. Regarding other rabbinic endorsements please check with The Kashrut Authority.

6. The Kashrut Authority has supervised production of a number of Passover items and they are so identified. Optimum supervised products bear the KA Kosher L’Pesach seal.

7 Matzah and matzah-meal are produced by many firms 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.
ABBREVIATIONS: (P) = Pareve (D) = Dairy

Medicines

The KA distributes a full medicine list to rabbis, doctors and pharmacists - please contact your local rabbi. The Kashrut Authority also has access to additional information that may not be on the list. Please email Rabbi Gutnick on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with any specific enquiry, and we will do our best to assist.
The following are guidelines for the uses of medication on Pesach for individuals who are ill:

1. Creams, non-chewable pills and injections may be owned and used on Pesach even if they contain chametz, since they are inedible. This covers most medicines used by adults.
a. It is permissible to grind pills and mix the powder into food items so that a child can take medicine on Pesach. However a doctor must be consulted to make sure that the child is getting the correct dosage and that the potency of the pill is not compromised by grinding it up. If an equally effective chametz free alternative is available it should be used.

2. Liquid medicines, chewable pills and pills coated with a flavoured glaze are edible and contain chametz. Therefore:
a. If possible, they should be replaced - under the direction of a doctor - with a non-chewable, uncoated pill.
b. If substitution is not possible and the person is in a state of sakanah or safek sakanah (any possible danger to human life), they may own and consume the medication. The same applies if the condition is not yet a safek sakanah but may deteriorate. A rabbi should be consulted as to whether it is preferable to purchase the medicine before or on Pesach, and as to how to dispose of the medicine once the danger passes.
c. If substitution is not possible and a doctor determines that there is no possibility of sakana if the person does not take the medicine a rabbi should be consulted. He may be able to determine that the medicine does not contain chametz or he may decide that the medicine may be consumed due to the seriousness of the patients condition.

3. In many cases medicinal items which contain kitniyot are permitted for people who are ill. Questions on this issue should be directed to your local rabbi.

4. People should exercise extreme caution and consult with their doctor and rabbi before making any decision to not take a medicine.

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