I S I T R EAL C HAMETZ ?

GUIDE TO SELLING “REAL” CHAMETZ BEFORE PESACH - by Dovid Heber, STAR-K Kashrus Administrator Reprinted with permission from the Star-K

Although l’Halacha, any chametz may be sold before Pesach, there are pious individuals who do not sell “real” chametz, but rather give it away, burn it, or eat it before Pesach. How does one define chametz gamur, “real” chametz? A food for which there is an issur of bal yeira'eh u'bal yematzeh d'Oraysa (there is a prohibition of ownership on Pesach) is “real” chametz. This includes all items that are chametz gamur, real chametz (, cake, pretzels, pasta, etc.). It should be noted that people who do not sell real chametz may purchase real chometz after Pesach from a Jewish owned store that sold their chometz. Ta’aroves chometz, food consisting of chometz ingredients, where the chiyuv biur (obligation to burn) is only m'drabanan (rabbinic), or at least according to some opinions only m’drabanan, is not chametz gamur. In addition, safek chametz medications (i.e., one is unable to determine whether it is chametz) and non- edible items, as well as products processed on chametz equipment, are not considered to be chametz gamur. These products are sold before Pesach even by individuals who are stringent not to sell chametz gamur. Many individuals who do not sell chametz gamur will sell alcoholic beverages before Pesach. Each family should follow their custom. The following chart offers guidelines as to which products are considered “real” chametz. “Chametz gamur” means it is “real” chametz. Pious individuals customarily do not sell these products before Pesach. Rather, they either consume it, burn it, or give it away as a gift to a non-Jew before Pesach. “Not chametz gamur” indicates the product is not “real” chometz. Even pious individuals will generally sell such products to a non-Jew before Pesach. (Where indicated, some products may even remain in one’s possession during Pesach, and a sale is not required.)

PRODUCT STATUS (if pearled, raw and packaged) Not chametz gamur Chametz gamur Bread Chametz gamur Cake and Cookies Chametz gamur Cake mixes (dry) Not chametz gamur Cereal with primary ingredient of , or barley Chametz gamur Chametz content is more than a k’zayis. The chametz can be eaten in a time span of k’dai achilas pras2a (e.g., box of Chametz gamur2b Froot Loops cereal) Chametz content is more than a k’zayis. The chametz cannot be eaten b’kdai achilas pras2a Not chametz gamur2b (e.g., box of Cap ‘N Crunch cereal) Chametz content in entire package is less than a k’zayis but is greater than 1/60 of the product Not chametz gamur (e.g., Corn Flakes cereal) Chametz content is less than 1/60 of the product Not chametz gamur4 Chametz Nokshe (e.g., chametz glue) Not chametz gamur Chametz products non-edible even for canine consumption (nifsal mayachilas kelev) Not chametz gamur3 Condiments containing vinegar (e.g., ketchup, mayonnaise, , pickles) Not chametz gamur Cooked on chametz equipment (not during Pesach) but contains no chametz in the product Not chametz gamur5 Corn Flakes (even if contains malt flavor) Not chametz gamur Cosmetics Not chametz gamur4 Cream of Wheat Chametz gamur Chametz gamur Detergents Not chametz gamur4 Extracts Not chametz gamur Chametz gamur Flour (including whole wheat flour or if contains malted barley) Not chametz gamur6 Food Coloring Not chametz gamur (even if contains matzah meal & is not KFP as long as the label doesn’t state chametz content) Not chametz gamur Ketchup Not chametz gamur Kitniyos Not chametz gamur3 Licorice Chametz gamur Product containing malt extract (e.g., Krispies ) Not chametz gamur Maltodextrin / Maltose (in product) Not chametz gamur Matzah & Matzah Meal (not certified for Pesach - label does not state chametz) Not chametz gamur Mayonnaise Not chametz gamur Medicine containing chametz Not chametz gamur Modified food starch (from unknown sources) Not chametz gamur Mustard Not chametz gamur Oatmeal (Instant, Regular, Baby) Chametz gamur

PRODUCT STATUS Pasta Chametz gamur Pickles Not chametz gamur Pretzels Chametz gamur Rice Krispies (even if contains malt flavor) Not chametz gamur Rolled Oats Chametz gamur Salad Dressing Not chametz gamur Vanillin and Ethyl Vanillin Not chametz gamur Vinegar (from unknown sources) Not chametz gamur Vitamin tablets containing chametz Not chametz gamur Wheat germ Not chametz gamur Wheat gluten/Wheat protein (unknown amount in product) Chametz gamur Whiskey7 Follow family custom1 (Baker’s), yeast extract Not chametz gamur3 Yeast (Brewer’s) Chametz gamur 1. Some individuals sell this chometz, others do not. One should follow his family custom. 2. a. Kedei achilas pras is the amount of time it takes to eat the volume of buttered bread equaling 3-4 eggs (approximately 2-4 minutes). For example, if one eats a bowl of Froot Loops cereal, he will eat a kezayis of chametz within 2-4 minutes. However, if one eats Cap ‘N Crunch cereal he will not eat a kezayis of chametz fast enough since the amount of chametz in Cap ‘N Crunch cereal is relatively minimal. b. See Magid on Rambam Hilchos Chametz U’Matzah 4:8. 3. These products are not chametz. One may even retain possession on Pesach. Sale is not necessary (mutar behana’a b’Pesach). The product may not be eaten on Pesach. 4. These products are not chametz. One may even retain possession on Pesach. Sale is not necessary (mutar behana’a b’Pesach). 5. One may retain possession of these products on Pesach. Sale is not necessary. They may not be eaten on Pesach. 6. This applies to flour that is not an ingredient in a product (e.g., flour sold in bags). However, as an ingredient in a product it is usually chametz gamur. 7. This includes bourbon, , liquor, gin, scotch & whiskey (unless they are certified for Pesach or are known to be from non-chometz sources).

K ITNIYOS

Kitniyos and Other Products Customarily Not Eaten on Pesach

 Anise  Isomerized Syrup  Ascorbic Acid (possibly chametz)  Lecithin  Beans (including Green Beans, Edamame, etc.)  Lentils  Bean Sprouts  Maltodextrin (possibly chametz)  BHA (in corn oil)  Millet  BHT (in corn oil)  Mustard: Flour, Prepared, Seeds  Buckwheat ()  Peanuts  Calcium Ascorbate (possibly chametz)  Peas  Canola Oil (Rapeseed)  Rice  Chickpeas  Seeds: Caraway, Poppy, Sesame, Sunflower  Citric Acid (possibly chametz)  Sodium Erythorbate  Confectioners’ Sugar (possibly chametz, look for KFP symbol)  Sodium Citrate (possibly chametz)  Corn  Sorbitan  Cumin  Soy Beans  Dextrose (possibly chametz)  Starch (possibly chametz)  Fennel  String Beans  Fenugreek  Tofu  Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (possibly chametz)  Vitamin C (possibly chametz)  Isolated Soy Protein