All change: food rules relaxed for Passover
ANY HAND sanitiser is approved. Quinoa will pass in an emergency. The aforementioned are two of a diverse range of items on a new Kashrut Division of the London Beth Din (KLBD) list providing guidance on products for Pesach that are not under special Pesach supervision.
It has been produced in conjunction with the beth din’s dayanim to support the community “during the challenging circumstances” of coronavirus and breaks with a custom dating back to the 15th century.
KLBD has acted to help consumers where regular supervised products are unavailable — or where people are in self-isolation and reliant on home deliveries.
The list, titled “Product guidelines in extremis”, categorises items into “yes” (can be approved); “no” (to be avoided) or “y/n”, which basically means “depends”.
For example, when it comes to butter, pure, plain and salted will be permitted, but butter with lactic culture among the ingredients should be avoided. Regular non-supervised milk and pure fruit juices without added anti-oxidants have been given the green light, as have (in most instances) frozen fruit and veg.
Raw kosher meat (not pickled) and unprocessed raw chicken are now approved without “Kosher for Pesach” certification.
So too are raw or blanched whole nuts and pure sunflower oil (ideally supermarkets’ own brand).
For sugar, Silver Spoon and other brands could be used if the certified Tate & Lyle Granulated Caster and Demerara are unavailable.
Tinned salmon, sardines and tuna are allowed; but not tinned potatoes and tomatoes.Non-certified soft drinks and cola, pickled cucumbers, olives and jams remain off limits.
The full list (viewable via kosher.org. uk) is likely to be updated.
KLBD director Rabbi Jeremy Conway said: “We are acutely aware of the pressures on individuals and on families at this unprecedented time, particularly on our community’s older, vulnerable and isolated members.
“We already know why this Seder night will be different to all other nights and this Pesach will be one unlike any other. The kashrut division has been working overtime to support our kosher shops and manufacturers, as well as to put together new guidelines, just for this Pesach, for those who are unable to get access to fully supervised products.
“This list should be used when regular supervised products are not available, or for people who are older or in isolation and so are unable to go shopping themselves or have Pesach products delivered to their home.
“Working together, we hope the community will be able to have a kosher and meaningful Pesach .”