THE SEPHARDIC PASSOVER FOOD GUIDE
Whenever possible, buy those products that bear a reliable Passover
label to be assured that the product has been prepared for the holiday. All
products whether or not they need special supervision should only be used if
the package is new and unopened.
Aluminum Foil Products: All types are acceptable.
Baby Cereal: Due to information from the Rabbi at the O.U. in
charge of Pesach production, Beech Nut Pure rice cereal should not be used.
Alternatively, may we suggest one of the following:
1) Cook rice thoroughly and then puree in the blender with formula;
or
2) Try preparing the cereal from ground checked rice; or
3) Try soaking Passover breakfast cereal or crumbled lady fingers in
milk or formula and then mash or blend.
Baby Formula: Alsoy, Enfamil, Isomil, Prosobee, Similac and
Soyalac.
Baby Foods: Must have Kosher for Passover supervision. Beech
Nut will have many varieties of fruits and vegetables with Passover
certification. Glatt kosher meat with an O.U.P.: Gefen.
Baby Oils and Lotions: No Passover supervision required.
Baking Powder: Supervision required. Gefen and V.I.P. Masters are OU-P; Hadar
KFP
Baking Soda: (Bicarbonate of Soda) No Passover Supervision
necessary. (new box)
Candy and Chocolates: Passover Supervision is necessary for
all chocolate candies, likewise hard sucking candies
need supervision because they are often coated with flour. Acceptably
supervised are Bloomy's,Cherrydale Farms, Elite (with OU-P only), Haddington
farms, Haddar, Krum's, Liebers, Manhattan, Manischewitz, Paskesz, Rokeach,
Season and Shufra. All must bear special super-vision for Pesach.
Beware! Some candies coming out of
Cereals: All cereals made from the five grains are of course,
Hames. In addition, many cold cereals such as corn flakes and rice krispies are
hames since malt is added to them. We strongly suggest that even those cereals
in which the listed ingredients are 100% kosher for Passover, should not be
used as they are in constant contact with grains that are real Hames. Kojel,
Manischewitz, Rokeach and T. Abraham's produce a variety of hot and cold
cereals with a reliable certification OU-P.
Chap stick: No supervision
necessary. Unflavored only, new tube.
Cider Vinegar: Requires supervision, the nutrient may be
Hames.
Cocoa: Any pure.
Coffee: Regular unflavored only, NO CHICORY OR DECAF. The
following brands may be used for Pesach (new jar) even without special
supervision: Bokar, Chase & Sanborn, Chock Full O'Nuts,
Nescafe, Pathmark, and Tasters Choice. - all varieties except chicory. Maxwell House and Maxim (with
OKP only) Elite Turkish Coffee (O.U.-P.) Decaffeinated: ALL DECAFFEINATED COFFEE MUST BE MARKED FOR
PASSOVER. Haddar Perks, Sanka (with OK-P), Yuban (with OK-P), Maxwell House
Decaf varieties (French Roast)
Flavored coffees are not acceptable for Passover use.
Postum contains grain and may not be used for Pesach. Any
leftovers of this brand must be sold with the Hames.
Cooking Spray: Mothers, Season (OU-P)
Cosmetics: regarding any cosmetics, hair spray, soaps,
shampoos, deodorant, powders (medicated, perfumed, baby, face, foot, etc..), the opinion of the Rabbis that permits these items even
without special Passover supervision, may be followed.
DAIRY PRODUCTS:
Milk: It is preferable to purchase Kosher
milk with Passover supervision for Pesach, but one may buy regular milk for the
holiday, if purchased before Pesach. This year in addition to the Halab Yisrael
brands, Tuscan and many supermarket brands will have marked, Kosher for
Passover milk available throughout the holiday. Only marked milk should be
purchased during the holiday, since the dairy may process chocolate milk that
contains malt (hames) on the same equipment.
Lactaid drops and caplets are not kosher for Pesach. Ask your
Rabbi for additional information.
Chocolate Milk: Requires Passover supervision as the
flavoring may contain Hames. Powdered Milk: Ko-Sure, Alba, and Carnation.
Butter\Cheeses\Creams\Yogurts: All require special Passover supervision as the
cultures, flavorings and coloring may contain Hames. Butter with the Kosher for
Passover mark are Breakstone's, Foodtown, J&J,
Mehadrin, Pathmark and Penn Maid. Yogurt must have supervision. Many varieties
are readily available,
Detergents and Cleansers: All varieties of detergents both
liquid and powdered do not require Kosher for Passover certification. According
to the OU directory, the following dish detergents may be used without the
OU-P:
Fruits: All fresh fruits are acceptable.
Unsweetened frozen fruits: are acceptable with no additives
or grape juice.
Dried Fruits: Must be marked Kosher for Pesach. Readily
available are: Mariani, Season OU-P, Homa Star Kp and Earthly Delights OK-P.
Dried, rolled dates present a special problem for Passover
since they are rolled in oats!
Dates: Calavo and Sun Glow are certified OU-P. Raisins: The
Natural Golden variety of Dole and Delmonte brands are acceptable with just a
plain OU.
May we remind you that banana chips require kosher supervision for
year round use as they are sometimes fried in the same oil as unkosher cheese. They are not recommended for Passover use.
Grape Leaves: This product is preserved in brine in plants
that often pickle other vegetables using Hames vinegar. We recommend to use
Juices: Apple: Needs special Passover certification as the
enzymes and clarifying agents may be hames. Available with certification are:
Apple & Eve, Festive, Gefen, Haddar, Kedem, Lucky Leaf, Pathmark, and
Shoprite.
Lemon juice: Realemon liquid lemon juice is acceptable
without a special marking.
All refrigerated containers must have Passover supervision.Some pure
juices may be actual Hames, as bran may be used to filter the juice.
Prune Juice- Gefen, Season and Shop Rite OU-P and Sunsweet KFP
Lipstick: All unflavored which do not contain wheat or oat
flour may be used on Pesach. No organic lipsticks.
Liquors: In the last few years they have presented a new
problem- Alcohol derived from wine is being used in production of liquors and
cordials. This is completely separate from the issue of whether the liquors
contain non-kosher wine. There are several varieties available for Pesach.
Margarine: Many margarines use starch in their flavoring
making Passover supervision necessary. Kosher for Passover: Mother's (OU-P) and
Migdal (KAJ-P)
Marshmallows: The Pesach market is inundated with
marshmallows that are labeled "Kosher for Passover". Many of these
contain gelatin which is made from non-Kosher animal sources. It is vital that
all labels are read before purchasing any products containing marshmallow. The
OU, Kof K, Star K, and OK do not permit the use of gelatin from non kosher
sources. As noted in the introduction: Elyon brand has made a special Passover
production.
Mayonnaise, Ketchup, and Mustard: According to knowledgeable
people in the Kashrut world, one should avoid the use of any product containing
vinegar even if the company assures that the vinegar used is not of grain
origin. We therefore recommend that all mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard, etc.,
should have proper Passover supervision. Ketchup: OU-P: Festive, Foodtown,
Pathmark, Rokeach, Season; Hadar (KFP); Ungers Star K- P Mayonnaise: OU-P:
Festive, Gefen, Mother's, Rokeach, Season. Hadar (KAJ-P); Ungers Star K-P
Mustard: Rokeach and Season OU-P
Meats and Poultry: All brands of raw poultry are kosher for
Passover year round. After your butcher "koshers" for Pesach, all raw
varieties of meat, cut chicken and veal are acceptable. This
year several companies have expanded greatly the selection of deli and prepared
products for the holiday. Empire turkey burgers are acceptable only with
the OU-P.
Nuts: Raw nuts are all acceptable for Passover. However, one
must refrain from dry roasted nuts unless it is KFP certified. Note: Midget
Pecans and pecan pieces require a reliable KF-P supervision.
Oils: Oils do need supervision for use during the entire
year. Deodorizers are pumped at high temperatures into the oils and they may be
unkosher. Canola oil is not recommended for Passover use.
With supervision (non-legume based oils): OU-P; Nutola, Pathmark,
Rokeach, and Shoprite. OK-P:Wesson. Sefaradim whose
custom it is to use soybeans and corn may also use the kosher for year round
use brands such as: Mazola, Wesson, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Oral Hygiene: The following brands are acceptable:
Toothpaste: Adwe, Colgate, Crest, Gleem, Sensodyne Original and Ultrabrite.
Mouthwash: Betadine, Listerine, Listermint, Plax and Scope.
Pet Foods: Fish food often contains meat and milk ingredients
and is forbidden for use the entire year. Most pet foods contain Hames. Since
we are forbidden to derive any benefit from Hames, we may not feed any pets those
varieties that contain hames ingredients. Krill fish food is permitted.
Pickles: Need Passover supervision. Batampte, Festive,
Flaum's, Gefen, Kvuzat Yavne, Season are all OU-P. Haddar and Liebers are also
available Kosher for Pesach. Unger's Star K-P
Potato Chips: Passover certification necessary, with the OU-P:Bloom's, Herr's, Pathmark, Ruffles, Season and Utz Potato
chips. Also KFP: Hadar and Liebers.
Rice: White variety: the following brands have been
investigated and are acceptable for use after checking. The vitamins are
synthetic and in a non Hames base.
It has been our custom throughout the generations to check all rice
three times before Pesach. Please be advised that every year barley and wheat
grains are found in the rice, check carefully.
Salt: Regular (Pure) and Coarse salt are permitted for
Passover use without special supervision. Check that dextrose and Polysorbates
are not in the ingredients.
Sodas: Sodas must have Kosher for Passover certification due
to possible Hames in the flavoring base. Many varieties are readily available.
Coke, Sprite and Manischewitz must have the OU-P on the cap. Pepsi products
must bear a KP on the cap, they are under the
supervision of Rabbi Charlop. Canada Dry Ginger Ale, 7-up ,
and RC Cola all in 2 liter bottles will be Kosher for Passover when bearing a
Star K-P on the bottle cap.
Any unflavored selzer with KP certification is acceptable.
Vintage Seltzers ( plain and
flavored) are acceptable if manufactured in Concordville and marked KP.
Spices: Important change! Due to recent changes in the spice
industry, even pure spices require reliable kosher for Passover certification.
Sugar: Any pure white granulated cane sugar may be purchased
for Passover as long as dextrose or glucose are not
listed in the ingredients. These may be derived from barley or wheat!
Confectioner's Sugar does contain 3% corn starch but
according to some Sephardic customs, may be permissible for Pesach. Canadian
Confectioner Sugar is not permissible as it contains wheat starch instead of
corn starch. Vanilla Sugar: may contain grain alcohol and therefore, Passover
supervision is required. Brown sugar: Domino and Brownulated are OK-P.
Sweeteners: OU-P: Gefen, Vip Masters.
Sweetie (Bedatz) and Liebers (KFP) Equal: is not recommended for Sefaradim this
year by the OU.
Teas: The following unflavored tea bags are acceptable
without special KFP: Royal House, Salada Black Tea (Salada Caffeine free is
Hames), Swee-Touch-Nee Tea Bags \ regular and 97% caffeine free. Tetley (except decaf). Due to a hames ingredient used in the
decaf process, decaf varieties should be used only with supervision.
Instant Tea: Nestea Instant unflavored only. Regular and Decaf.
Herbal Teas: Sweet-Touch-Nee: Herbal Seren-I-T OUP., Good Earth: OUP Peppermint, Chamomile, Green and Black
Teas Melaluca G'Day Herbal Teas (Star K) Wissotzky OU-P
Tomato Paste and Sauce: Passover supervision required. Due to
flavored varieties of paste and sauce now being produced, the OK laboratories
inform us that tomato products must have proper Pesach supervision.
Haddar, Season and California Delight all with KFP
certification. Note: Throughout the year, Tomato products should only be used
with a known reliable supervision, it has been discovered that certain packers
of tomato products were producing tomato with (non-kosher) romano
cheese sauce and then producing the crushed tomatoes, with no cleaning in
between! Understandably this is not acceptable.
Tuna Fish and Salmon: The hydrolyzed protein in tuna may
contain Hames. Kosher for Passover tuna is readily available. Dagim, Tuna Delight and King of the Sea. With the OU-P:
Gefen, Shoprite, Season and Pathmark.
Vegetables, Frozen: Several years ago, a new lighter cuisine
heralded the introduction of frozen pasta and vegetable mixtures. Vegetable
companies blanch veggies and pasta blends together, then
use the same equipment for plain vegetables. Further inquiries into the field
have further led us to seriously question the use of frozen vegetables on
Pesach. In addition, companies may purchase processed vegetables from another
source and put their own label on the package. Codes provided by the company
proved inaccurate, and the information was misleading. We highly recommend the
use of fresh vegetables, despite the convenience of the frozen.
Due to problems with the insect infestation in leafy vegetables,
Frosty Acres is no longer recommended by the Star-K. The most important of all,
peas and beans will again be available for the Sephardic Community.
This year we will again have under the JSOR, approved peas, string
beans (whole and French cut), black eyed peas and okra. Look for the special
label!
Several companies made other frozen vegetables, including spinach,
which are properly checked for insects and for Pesach.
Within the Sephardic Community, there are varied customs as to the
use of dried beans, chick peas and corn. Consult your Rabbi for further
information. If you are certain that it is your custom, these should be checked
to insure that no grains are mixed in.
Dried Eggplant: These are imported from
Japanese eggplant are a fine alternative, they are very long
and slender, and can be easily cut in half and scooped out.
Pre-washed salad: Dole brand with a plain Star K. Some other
brands use citric acid in the rinse water to balance the ph (to prevent
wilting), and are not recommended. Gush Katif from
Whipped Topping: Kineret and Rich's are
OU-P.
Whiskeys and Beers and many liqueurs are Hames and may not be
consumed on Passover. They must be sold to a non-Jew through the Rabbi before
Pesach.
Carmel and Ashkelon Arak are both
Kosher for Pesach.
Wine: Please note some varieties of Manischewitz wine are not
kosher for Passover.
Have a Joyous and Kosher Pesach
Rabbi Isaac Farhi Kashrut Coordinator