Accidentally Used a Non–Kosher‑for‑Pesach Ingredient Before Pesach

Question:
Without paying attention, I accidentally used salt that was not certified kosher for Pesach when cooking food intended for Pesach, before the start of the holiday. What is the status of the food—may it be eaten on Pesach?

Answer:
The food remains kosher and may be eaten on Pesach without concern.

Explanation:
Although salt is listed by the Poskim as an item that requires kosher‑for‑Pesach supervision, and this is likewise the accepted practice today in commercial salt production, nevertheless, bediavad we do not suspect that ordinary salt contains actual chametz. Rather, the concern is only a remote possibility. This is true even on Pesach itself, when chametz is forbidden even in the smallest amount. Certainly, before Pesach, when any possible trace of chametz would be nullified in sixty (battel beshishim), there is no cause for concern at all. Accordingly, since the issue here is at most a mere suspicion, and since any potential chametz would in any event be nullified prior to the onset of Pesach, the food remains permitted. The same reasoning applies to similar cases in which one accidentally added a non–kosher‑for‑Pesach ingredient before Pesach that carries only a suspicion of chametz; such food may be eaten without hesitation.

Now, although there are opinions which maintain that chametz is considered chozer v’ne’or on Pesach even if it became nullified in sixty times prior to Pesach—such as in cases of a lach b’lach mixture, which would seemingly apply here since the salt has fully dissolved in the food—the main halachic ruling does not follow this view. The Alter Rebbe hence concludes that one who wishes to be stringent may be stringent for himself, but one should not rule this way for others. This is especially true in the present case, where the salt in question carries only a mere suspicion of chametz and not a definite concern. Moreover, the likelihood of chametz contamination in salt today is far more remote than whatever concern may have existed in earlier times. Accordingly, since we are dealing with a ספק rather than a ודאי, even the stringent opinion regarding chozer v’ne’or would not apply here. Nevertheless, as with many stringencies that have no clear halachic requirement, one who wishes to be personally stringent and refrain from eating this food on Pesach may certainly do so; however, there is no basis to prohibit the food or to rule stringently for others.

Sources:

See regarding salt needing a Kosher for Pesach supervision: Admur 447:26; 451:51 and 76; 462:19

See regarding that Bedieved the food remains Kosher: Admur 447:43 that if an unsupervised food for Pesach got mixed into other Pesach foods on Pesach, then it is nullified in 60x as it only contains a suspicion that it has a mashehu of Chametz, and by a great loss or by a pressing situation one can be lenient even if it there is not 60x against it.

See regarding that Chametz is nullified in 60x before Pesach: Admur 442:4-5;11; 15-16; 447:1 and 22; 24-26; 30-32; 38; 43; 45; 60; 466:9; Michaber O.C. 447:1; Y.D. 98:1; Tur O.C. 478; Y.D. 98; Rebbe Yochanon and Reish Lakish Pesachim 29b; Rava Chulin 30a