Chapter 8:

Non-Food Items

Chapter 8:

Non-Food Items

  1. Pet Food

It is best to use pet food that does not contain chametz. However, if changing your pet’s diet may adversely affect its health, then if the ingredients of the pet food include chametz but chametz is not a majority ingredient, one should use this pet food on Pesach.1

Soap and Detergents

All types of soaps and detergents are permissible to use on Pesach.2

Cosmetics, Toiletries, and Medications

All types of cosmetics, toiletries, and medications are permissible, even if the ingredients include chametz (such as oats), because these items are not considered food. For example, you do not need new toothpaste, mouthwash, soaps, shampoo, lotions, etc.3 In addition, medications and vitamins are not considered food,4 unless they are chewable, in which case the ingredients cannot contain chametz.5

Paper Goods and Tableware/Sponges

  1. All kinds of paper towels, plates, cups or plasticware may be used without concern regarding wheat or corn starch.6
  2. One should purchase new dish sponges for Pesach.7

Accessories for Teeth

  1. One does not need to purchase new or ‘kosher’ toothbrushes, bite plates, dentures, etc.8


Notes

  1. Because if a ‘taaruvot chametz’ (chametz mixed with non-chametz foods) is not normally eaten by humans, it is permissible to benefit from such a mixture. See S”A OC 442:1, SA HaRav 442:22:24, MB 442:22, Chazon Ish 116:8, Igrot Moshe OC 3:62, Ohr L’tzion 8:5. This is especially true in this case where changing the pet’s food may adversely affect its health.

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  2. See next note regarding cosmetics.

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  3. S”A OC 442:1; Chazon Ish 116:8, Chazon Nachum 46. Also, see Rosh Pesachim 21a (‘achshivei’ is not relevant to hanaah without Achila) and Yeshuot Yaakov 442:7 (and others) (‘achshivei’ is not relevant to taaruvot.)

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  4. See Igrot Moshe OC 2:92. Also, swallowing capsules is ‘shelo kiderech achila’ (S”A and Rama YD 155:3.)

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  5. Based on Igrot Moshe, ibid, and Yechaveh Daat 2:60.

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  6. It is very uncommon for these starches to be made from chametz, and corn would not present a problem (see below chapter 9) and in any event these starches are not considered food.

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  7. Because it is possible some chametz is absorbed in the sponge, and it is inexpensive to replace.

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  8. The mouth could not withstand the level of heat required for absorption, and any possible chametz in one’s teeth/mouth would be inconsequential. See Rivaz 10, Mayim Chaim OC 177, Beit Yitzchak YD 1:43:2, Beit Yisrael OC 85, Yesodei Yeshurun 6 pg. 164.

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