Friday, April 15, 2016

Halacha Yomis - Product Thickeners OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel ben Reb Dov HaLevi Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant from 1987-2016


Q. My elderly parents have a number of products that contain a thickener, which makes swallowing the product easier. These thickeners are usually identified in the ingredient panel as either “food starch”, “modified food starch” or “maltodextrin.” Are these ingredients chametz? A. Food starch, modified food starch, and maltodextrin, when sourced in the United States, are generally from corn (kitniyot). Kitniyot is permitted for the infirm and elderly who need it, (see Mishnah Berurah 453:7). If the product is “non-GMO” or is imported from Europe these ingredients are very likely chametz.

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