As Pesach approaches, many kosher consumers find themselves in the supermarket aisles confused about which products require a special Kosher for Passover certification (OU-P) and which can be purchased with just a regular OU symbol. To clarify the matter, Rabbi Goldberg of the OU Kashrut Division recently answered a series of rapid-fire questions on common Passover items — and here’s what he shared:
Wines
- Require an OU-P certification.
All wines must be specifically certified for Passover.
Coffee
- Ground Coffee (Unflavored): Only requires a regular OU, no OU-P needed.
- Spray-Dried (Instant) Coffee: Requires an OU-P, unless a special listing appears in the OU Passover Guide.
Oils
- Coconut Oil: Requires an OU-P certification.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Only needs a regular OU; no OU-P required.
Tea
- Plain Unflavored Tea Bags: Only require a regular OU.
- All Other Tea Products: Require an OU-P certification.
Eggs
- If purchased before Passover, eggs do not require an OU-P or any certification.
- If purchased during Passover, it’s advisable to purchase with proper kosher certification.
Baked Goods
- All baked goods (cookies, cakes, etc.): Must always have an OU-P certification.
Honey
- Must have an OU-P certification for Passover.
Milk
- If purchased before Passover, does not require special Passover certification.
- If purchased during Passover, must be OU-P certified.
Nuts
- Raw nuts without additives do not require an OU-P certification.
Spices
- Always require an OU-P certification, even if pure.
Sugar
- Brown and white sugar: This year, requires an OU-P, reflecting a change in OU policy from previous years.
Conclusion
Rabbi Goldberg provided a helpful breakdown for common Passover products and highlighted the changes for this year, particularly the new requirement for sugar to be certified OU-P. When in doubt, check the OU Passover Guide or consult your local rabbi. And as always — it’s best to shop ahead of the holiday whenever possible to make kashrut compliance easier.
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