Toothpaste

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

A. Many brands of toothpaste contain glycerin which is a kosher sensitive ingredient and there are differing views as to whether toothpaste requires a hechsher. Rav Belsky zt”l would differentiate between different types of toothpaste depending on how much glycerin they contain. Toothpaste is made of cleansers, flavors and sweeteners. Rav Belsky ruled that if the majority of the toothpaste is comprised of inedible ingredients (i.e., cleansers), then the glycerin which is a minority would be nullified. However, if the amount of glycerin is greater than the inedible components, it may not be used. In practice it can be difficult to make this assessment, and therefore he would recommend only buying toothpastes that are certified kosher or are known to use kosher glycerin. However, some rabbanim, including Rav Herschel Schachter shlita, have ruled that toothpaste may be used even if it contains non-kosher ingredients. This is because toothpaste is inedible and is not intended to be swallowed. However, we have seen even regarding soap which only goes on dishes and has a terrible taste there is a preference in using kosher soap. How much more so with cleansers that go into one’s mouth and have a pleasant taste, it is preferable that they be kosher.

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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.