Mouthwash

Q. Need I be concerned that there are non-kosher ingredients in mouthwash?

A. Many brands of mouthwash contain glycerin which has a sweet taste and is a kosher sensitive ingredient. Glycerin is derived from animal oil or vegetable oil, and there is no way for the consumer to determine the source of derivation. Many rabbanim, including Rav Yisroel Belsky zt’l, take a strict stance and recommend not using a mouthwash that contains glycerin. They argue that since the mouthwash is deliberately sweetened and flavored, and people buy the mouthwash because of its good taste, the prohibition of Achshivei would apply. Furthermore, some small amount of mouthwash will probably be swallowed. There are kosher certified mouthwashes available. (It should be noted that many varieties of Listerine do not have this issue, since they do not contain glycerin.). However, some rabbanim, take a lenient view of mouthwash. They argue that mouthwash is not fit for drinking, and Achshivei does not apply since it is not intended to be swallowed. Rav Herschel Schachter shlita, agreed with this ruling. However, it is obviously preferable to purchase with hashgacha. Individuals should seek guidance from their Rabbonim.

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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.