Kashrus - Mouthwash

QUESTION: Need I be concerned that there are non-kosher ingredients in mouthwash?

ANSWER: Many brands of mouthwash contain glycerin, which is potentially a non-kosher ingredient. Glycerin has a sweet taste, and it can be made from vegetable oils or from animal fat. There may be other kosher sensitive ingredients in mouthwash as well. However, there are differing views as to whether this is a concern. Some rabbanim, including Rav Schachter, have ruled that mouthwash may be used even if it contains non-kosher ingredients, because mouthwash is not fit for drinking. Although there is a rabbinic prohibition to eat non-kosher foods even if they are inedible, they maintain that this does not apply to mouthwash, since it is not swallowed. However, some rabbanim, including Rav Belsky zt"l, argue that since the mouthwash is deliberately flavored, and people buy the mouthwash for its taste, it is included in the prohibition of achshevei, i.e., rinsing with mouthwash treats it like it is an edible food. Furthermore, inevitably some amount of mouthwash will be swallowed. It is recommended that one should consult with their personal rabbi for directions on this matter.

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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.