Separate Saltshakers

Q. Is one required to have two sets of saltshakers, one for dairy and one for meat?

A. The Rema (YD 88:2) writes that there is a minhag is to have separate bowls of salt for milchigs and fleishigs. This is because when one dips food into the salt, crumbs might remain behind. This concern seemingly does not apply to a saltshaker. The salt is well protected inside the shaker, and it is extremely unlikely that any crumbs will fall through the tiny holes. Nevertheless, there is a widespread minhag to have separate saltshakers. Sefer Badei Hashulchan (88:30) points out that if there are young children who might touch the saltshaker to their food, then it is certainly proper to have separate saltshakers. He applies this to other condiments that are brought to the table as well, such as ketchup and mustard. If there is concern that children might squeeze the bottles right against their meat, it is best to designate them for meat or dairy.

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The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.