Pesach Nut Knowledge

Compiled by Rabbi Nissan Zibell

Although there are many standards regarding food on Pesach, below is an informative list as to the different standards regarding nuts. We encourage everyone to reach out to their personal Rav regarding which standards to hold by.

Nuts for Pesach use:

There are a few categories.

1) Those that cannot be used on Pesach unless they have reliable KLP certification.

2) Those that are halachically acceptable without KLP certification, but there is room to be mehader and not use.

3) Those that are acceptable on a more mehudar level.

1) Cannot be used on pesach unless it has a reliable KLP certification-

A) All blanched or roasted nuts (all varieties).

B) Nut flour- all finely ground nuts, such as almond flour or the like. Ground/powdered nuts may have been processed on equipment used for breadcrumbs or other Chametz.

C) Nuts that contain BHT or BHA (These preservatives are sprayed on the nuts using a corn derivatives- Kitniyos issue).

D) Shelled pecans- all varieties, even if they are whole and raw. (This is because there are facilities in that soak whole pecans in the shell in ethyl alcohol in order to help the cracking process).

E) When the label states that the nuts are processed in a plant that processes chometz.

F) Peanuts (which are kitniyos).

G) Flavored nuts- Flavorings contain Pesach-sensitive ingredients, and therefore flavored nuts are not recommended unless they have a Reliable Hashgacha KLP.

2) Halachically acceptable without KLP certification, but there is room to be mehader and not use-

Raw nuts- whether whole, slivered, or chopped , are acceptable without Pesach Certification, whether they are with or without the shell. Nuts are fine even if they are "steam pasteurized". This is true with exception to what’s listed in category #1 above.

However many times, even if not declared on the label, the nuts could have been packaged on equipment that also packages chometz, and even after cleaning there can be traces of chametz (although batel before pesach and halachically fine). Therefore there is room to be mehader and only use next category #3.

3) Acceptable on a more mehudar level-

Nuts that have a reliable KLP certification. Alternatively one of the next 3 options are acceptable, if viable.

A) Buy the nuts by the case in the original box from the grower.

B) Buy the nuts directly from a nut grower even in retail size packages, because coming from the grower, it can be assumed that equipment only handles nuts (unless you happen to know otherwise).

C) If the nuts have a hashgacha without P designation, verify with the certifying hashgacha if there is a possibility that these nuts are packed on shared lines with chametz or not.

D) Raw nuts in their shells are also an option. If there is a concern they could have come in contact with chametz while being packaged (although batel), they can easily be washed, if one wants to be mehader.

KLP Water additives:

The following ingredients are not a concern by bottled water:

calcium chloride,

magnesium chloride,

magnesium oxide,

magnesium sulfate,

potassium bicarbonate,

potassium chloride,

and sodium chloride.

KLP Salt additives:

The following ingredients are not a concern by non-iodized salt:

Yellow Prussiate of soda

(anti caking agent),

Calcium Silicate (anti caking agent),

Sodium Bicarbonate,

and Sodium Thiosulphate.