Guidelines
Spices
Ground spices require Passover certification. They can be processed on equipment that contains chametz and can also be adulterated with kitniyot or chametz.
Honey
Honey requires special Passover certification, as our research shows that some companies adulterate it with corn syrup.
Nuts
Raw nuts in their shell do not require Passover certification. Shelled raw nuts that list BHA, BHT, or any other additive on the ingredient label require special Passover certification. If no additives are listed, raw nuts may be acceptable when bearing an OU symbol. Pecans that are whole or half are acceptable with an OU […]
Fish
The following guidelines should be followed when purchasing fish: Fresh fish, skin on, whole : No certification needed, just confirm scales can be removed without ripping skin Fresh fish, skin on, cut: Only needs year-round certification or check for scales as above, follow standard procedure for rinsing and scraping where needed. Frozen fish, skin on […]
Dried Fruits
Dried fruits are usually treated with oils derived from kitniyos and therefore require special Passover certification.
Missing from the Directory
If you see an OU certified product that is missing from the Passover directory please check the OU Passover Product Search.
Non-Edibles That Don’t Require Certification
The consensus of the OU’s poskim (rabbinic authorities) is that the following may be used on Passover without certification: Aluminum foil Aluminum foil baking pans Baby ointments Bags (paper or plastic) Body wash Bowl and tub cleaners Candles Cardboard Carpet cleaners Charcoal Cheese Cloths Conditioners Copper and metal cleaners Cork Cosmetics (except possibly lipsticks, see […]
Pet Food
Since it is forbidden to own or benefit from chametz during Passover, food that contains chametz may not be fed to pets. However, it is permitted to give pets food that contains kitniyot. If one is unable to procure pet food that does not contain chametz, some rabbinical authorities allow for a sale, which would […]
Prepared Baby Food
First Choice Baby Food: Applesauce, Carrots, Pears and Sweet Potatoes are approved when bearing an OU-P or OU Kosher for Passover symbol.
Kitniyot List
The following are considered Kitniyot: Beans Buckwheat Caraway Cardamom Chickpeas Corn Edamame Fennel Seeds Fenugreek Flaxseed (Linseed) Green Beans Hemp Seeds Lentils Millet Mustard Peas Poppy Seeds Rapeseed Rice Sesame Seeds Sorghum Seeds Soybeans Sunflower Seeds Teff The following are not considered Kitniyot, but may require special checking: Anise Carob Chia Seeds Coriander Cottonseed Cumin […]
