Does Fish oil need an Hashgacha?

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Does fish oil require a Hashgacha:[1]

The oil of a non-Kosher fish is likewise Biblically non-Kosher.[2] Accordingly, all fish oil products require a Hashgacha to verify that the oil is derived from a Kosher fish. Fish oil is added in many foods such as Vitamins, medicines. The following will discuss the various non-food products that contain fish oil and their Hashgacha status.

Dental Floss:[3] Many types of Dental floss are waxed with fish oil. Nevertheless, dental floss does not require a Hashgacha being that one is not eating the oil and has no intent to swallow it.

Fish oil medicine for one who is sick:[4] It is permitted for one who is sick to the point of being bedridden [Choleh Sheiyn Bo Sakana] to drink fish oil for treatment of his illness, even if his illness does not involve danger, and even if the fish is certainly not Kosher.[5] Nonetheless, it is best to enter the oil into a capsule and only then swallow it.[6] Likewise, if there is Kosher fish oil available, then one must buy it even if it is very expensive.[7] Practically, today there are various companies of Kosher fish oil available on the market and hence it is forbidden to use a fish oil that does not contain a  Hashgacha.

Omega 3 fish oil capsules: Based on the above Poskim, it is understood that there is no allowance for one who is currently healthy to drink fish oil that does not contain a proper Hashgacha. Nonetheless, some Poskim[8] rule that one may swallow fish oil capsules without a Hashgacha even if he is currently healthy. This is permitted even if one knows the fish oil derives from non-kosher fish. However, if there is Kosher fish oil available, then one must buy it even if it is very expensive.[9] Practically, today there are various companies of Kosher fish oil capsules on the market and hence it is forbidden to take fish oil capsules that does not contain a  Hashgacha.

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[1] Hakashrus 11:21-22

[2] Rama Y.D. 83:5, in contrast to Tzir of the fish which is only Rabbinically forbidden, as ruled in Michaber 83:5

[3] Hakashrus 11:21 in name of Rav Elyashiv

[4] See Yabia Omer 2:12

[5] Dvar Moshe 1:8, brought in Darkei Teshuvah 155:25; Halef Lecha Shlomo Y.D. 22; Divrei Chaim 2:52; Salmas Chaim 2:20; Yabia Omer 2:12

The reason: As it is permitted for a sick person to benefit from non-Kosher food in an irregular way, and it is irregular to drink oil. [ibid; see Y.D. 155:3]

[6] Rama 155:3; Mahariy Halevi 1:62; Yabia Omer ibid

[7] Dvar Moshe 1:8, brought in Darkei Teshuvah 155:25

[8] Yabia Omer 2:12 based on the fact that swallowing a capsule is not Derech Hanaah, and the Shach 155:13 who rules that when it’s not Derech Hanaah, then a non-Kosher food that is permitted in benefit is permitted even for a healthy person.

[9] Dvar Moshe 1:8, brought in Darkei Teshuvah 155:25

 

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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