Yes, this product is perfectly acceptable for Pesach. Here’s a breakdown of the concerns raised:
1. Soy lecithin: Soy itself is not kitniyot. It originated in the Far East and was unknown in Europe when the minhag of avoiding kitniyot was established. Furthermore, kitniyot is batel berov—meaning if the majority of the product is not kitniyot, the kitniyot is halachically nullified. You do not need it to be a trace amount. Soy lecithin itself is a highly processed soy oil byproduct that is not edible in its own right—you can’t sit down and eat a bowl of soy lecithin—and that alone makes it not an issue.
2. Oat, barley, and wheat grasses: Oats are not one of the five grains that can become chametz. That’s the main point. As stated in our FAQ, oats are considered kitniyot for Ashkenazim, not chametz. Barley and wheat grasses are just that—grasses—not actual grains. They are not chametz, and therefore not a problem.
3. Non-certified enzymes and probiotics: These are not fit for human consumption. The halachic standard for most items (aside from yeast) is whether something is ra’ui l’achilat adam—fit for human consumption. If you sat down with a bowl full of enzymes or probiotics, could you eat it? Of course not. The same applies here. These are taken only as supplements, and people have to mix them with actual food or a smoothie to swallow them. That’s not food. It’s not edible, and therefore not chametz.
4. Natural flavors and vitamin carriers: These are not chametz. Once something is labeled “natural flavors,” it means it’s no longer a recognizable food item. If it were actual wheat or barley, they would label it proudly as such. The fact that they have to hide it under the name “natural flavors” means it’s not real, edible grain. It’s something inedible or processed beyond food status, and that’s why it’s not labeled directly. Natural flavors have never been a halachic problem.
5. Supplements, vitamins, and similar products: Even if they did contain chametz, and not just trace amounts—even if it were a significant amount—these are not considered food halachically. They are taken for health or nutrition, always taste unpleasant, and are not eaten in the way food is eaten. That alone removes them from the category of achilat chametz.
Conclusion: This product is not a halachic issue for Pesach. It is acceptable even for Ashkenazim who follow the custom of avoiding kitniyot, and certainly for Sephardim. There is no reason to avoid it based on any of the ingredients listed.
Yes, this product is perfectly acceptable for Pesach. Here’s a breakdown of the concerns raised:
1. Soy lecithin: Soy itself is not kitniyot. It originated in the Far East and was unknown in Europe when the minhag of avoiding kitniyot was established. Furthermore, kitniyot is batel berov—meaning if the majority of the product is not kitniyot, the kitniyot is halachically nullified. You do not need it to be a trace amount. Soy lecithin itself is a highly processed soy oil byproduct that is not edible in its own right—you can’t sit down and eat a bowl of soy lecithin—and that alone makes it not an issue.
2. Oat, barley, and wheat grasses: Oats are not one of the five grains that can become chametz. That’s the main point. As stated in our FAQ, oats are considered kitniyot for Ashkenazim, not chametz. Barley and wheat grasses are just that—grasses—not actual grains. They are not chametz, and therefore not a problem.
3. Non-certified enzymes and probiotics: These are not fit for human consumption. The halachic standard for most items (aside from yeast) is whether something is ra’ui l’achilat adam—fit for human consumption. If you sat down with a bowl full of enzymes or probiotics, could you eat it? Of course not. The same applies here. These are taken only as supplements, and people have to mix them with actual food or a smoothie to swallow them. That’s not food. It’s not edible, and therefore not chametz.
4. Natural flavors and vitamin carriers: These are not chametz. Once something is labeled “natural flavors,” it means it’s no longer a recognizable food item. If it were actual wheat or barley, they would label it proudly as such. The fact that they have to hide it under the name “natural flavors” means it’s not real, edible grain. It’s something inedible or processed beyond food status, and that’s why it’s not labeled directly. Natural flavors have never been a halachic problem.
5. Supplements, vitamins, and similar products: Even if they did contain chametz, and not just trace amounts—even if it were a significant amount—these are not considered food halachically. They are taken for health or nutrition, always taste unpleasant, and are not eaten in the way food is eaten. That alone removes them from the category of achilat chametz.
Conclusion: This product is not a halachic issue for Pesach. It is acceptable even for Ashkenazim who follow the custom of avoiding kitniyot, and certainly for Sephardim. There is no reason to avoid it based on any of the ingredients listed.