The laws of Kashrus relevant to Human blood & Unintentional consumption:[1]
Human blood is not Biblically forbidden in consumption due to the blood prohibition.[2] Nevertheless, it is [Rabbinically] forbidden to drink visible human blood which has separated from a human body due to Maaras Ayin.
Blood on food after biting:[3] Due to the above, if one bit a piece of food and he sees blood on the remaining piece [such as can occur if one has an injury in his gums] then that area which contains the blood may not be eaten, and one is thus to scrape the blood off the piece.
Swallowing blood in teeth, gums or mouth:[4] Despite the above, there is no prohibition in sucking and swallowing blood that being released from an injury within one’s mouth.[5] [This applies even if the blood is visible upon one opening his mouth.[6]]
Blood fell into food:[7] If human blood fell into one’s food, the food remains permitted irrelevant of the ratio.[8] [This allowance applies even if the blood is the majority of the mixture.[9]]
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Q&A If one cut his finger, may he suck on the wound to stop the bleeding and hence in the process swallow some blood?[10] Some Poskim[11] rule it is permitted to do so.[12] Other Poskim[13] rule it is forbidden to do so. Practically, one may be lenient in this matter[14] so long as the finger is visibly still bleeding. However, once the bleeding has stopped one may not place the leftover blood in his mouth.[15] According to all may one suck the finger and then spit out the blood.[16]
May one nurse a child if she is bleeding by her breasts?[17] Some Poskim rule it is permitted as the blood is considered covered.
May one floss if it causes bleeding? Yes, as the blood is covered in the mouth.
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[1] 66:10
[2] See Darkei Teshuvah 66:66 for a discussion in Poskim as to why it is not Biblcially forbidden just as human meat is forbidden.
[3] Michaber ibid; Kerisus 21b; Kesubos 60a
[4] Michaber ibid; Kerisus 21b; Kesubos 60a
[5] The reason: As such blood has never separated from the human body and hence remains permitted. [See Michaber ibid; Rashi ibid] Now, although all matters of Maaras are prohibited even in private, nevertheless since here everyone can tell that it is human blood therefore it remains permitted. [Yad Avraham ibid and Gilyon Maharsha in name of Poskim]
[6] Yad Avraham ibid based on Tosafus; Peri Chadash 66:15; Kreisy 66:12; Erech Hashulchan 66:9; Zivcheiy Tzedek 66:33; Ben Ish Chaiy Taharos 1; Orach Mishur 66:5, brought in Beis Lechem Yehuda 66:8; Haflah Kesubos 60a; Kaf Hachaim 66:47
Other opinions: Some Poskim write that according to Rashi in Kesubos 60a, if the blood is visible it is forbidden. [Minchas Yaakov 62 brought in Yad Avraham ibid; see also Kneses Hagedola 66:52; Beis Lechem Yehuda 66:8]
[7] Rama ibid; Hagahos Maimanis 7; Rashba in Toras Habayis 3:5
[8] The reason: As from the letter of the law these bloods are permitted [Michaber ibid], and it is only due to Maaras Ayin that we refrain from eating it, therefore if it fell into a food the food is permitted without nullification as is always the law by Maaras Ayin. [Peri Megadim 66 S.D. 16]
[9] Peri Megadim ibid
[10] See Darkei Teshuvah 66:68; Kaf Hachaim 66:47
[11] Peri Chadash 66:15; Kreisy 66:12; Erech Hashulchan 66:9; Zivcheiy Tzedek 66:33; Ben Ish Chaiy Taharos 1; Orach Mishur 66:5, brought in Beis Lechem Yehuda 66:8; Haflah Kesubos 60a; Kaf Hachaim 66:47
[12] The reason: As the blood is recognizable that it comes from a human, and is thus similar to the allowance to eat fish blood with fish. [Peri Chadash ibid] It makes no difference whether the blood is visible to others so long as one can tell it came from a human. [Tosafus]
[13] Kneses Hagedola 66:52; Beis Lechem Yehuda 66:8 based on Rashi Kesubos 60a
[14] Zivcheiy Tzedek 66:33; Kaf Hachaim 66:47
[15] Ben Ish Chaiy ibid; Kaf Hachaim 66:48
The reason: As in such a case the concept of Maaras Ayin applies, being it is not openly recognizable that the blood came from him. [ibid]
[16] Kneses Hagedola ibid; Darkei Teshuvah ibid
[17] Hakashrus 9 footnote 113 in name of Sheivet Hakehasi 5:125
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