Sephardim
are allowed to keep or use during Pesah any product which is
non-edible, i.e., unfit for human or animal consumption, even if they
might contain Hamets For example: Cosmetics, glues, paint, shampoo,
deodorants, perfumes, soaps, detergents or any other cleaning products,
etc. In all these cases there is neither a need to check for the absence
of Hamets, nor for any kind of Kosher for Pesah certification.
The
consumption of medicines in the form of capsules or non-chewable pills
is also allowed. Why? Because when a medicine comes in the form of a
hard non-chewable pill it is considered "non-eatable Hamets" (eno ra-ui leakhilat keleb) therefore, even if it would contain a Hamets by product (which is highly unlikely, as I will explain), one can take that medicine during
Pesah. However, chewable pills, syrups, powder-drinks, supplements
drinks and/or any other flavored and/or chewable medicines or vitamins,
should be certified Kosher for Pesah, or one should make sure that they
do not contain any Hamets ingredient in their composition.
Rabbi
Eliezer Melamed explains that this Halakhic criteria is also followed
by many Ashkenazi rabbis in Israel. He also clarifies that today,
virtually all medical pills are made with potato or corn-starch and
almost none with wheat-starch (among other reasons because
wheat-protein, gluten, is harmful for celiac patients).
It is advisable then, when possible, to ask the physician to prescribe for Pesah medication in the form of non-chewable pills.
Needless to say that in case of a serious medical condition, any necessary medicine should be taken.
Food
that is suitable for animal consumption is forbidden to keep during
Pesah. If one has a pet, therefore, one should get pet-food that does
not contain any Hamets product. Click here to see the Star K list of pet products Kasher for Pesah.
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Dedicated to the memory of Ya'aqob Ben Yehuda, z"l
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