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Paper & plastic-ware, tablecloths, napkins, disposable gloves- Must they be Kosher for Pesach

Background on Starch:[1]

Many paper products are made and coated with starch to act as a binder and add to their smoothness and softness. Starches come from a variety of grains, including corn, potato, and wheat. Although only wheat-based starches are a problem during Pesach, many starches used in the paper industry today are wheat based. Being it is difficult to ascertain the type of starch used, therefore, products that contain starch are not to be used on Pesach if they can come into contact with your food.[2] [See Chapter 2 Halacha 1J for the Halachic status of Chametz starch.]

Testing for starch: It is possible to check items for starch in the following method: Poor some Iodine, found in Polydine ointment, into water and then dip the product being tested into the water. If the product begins turning blue, it is a sign that it contains a starch and should not be used with foods over Pesach.

List of products that may contain Chametz based starch and are not to be used unless verified?[3]

• Paper ware.
• Paper bags.
• Paper Napkins.
• Paper rolls.
• Paper lining.
• Plastic gloves.
• Tablecloths [Accordingly, new tablecloths should be washed prior to use on Pesach.[4]]

May one eat on non-Kosher for Pesach plastic/paper plates and cutlery?

Plastic plates and cutlery may be used without a Hashgacha for Pesach. Paper plates, however, may contain Chametz starch and are hence to only be used if they contain a Hashgacha, or have been tested to not contain starch.[5]

May one use non-Kosher for Pesach Styrofoam plate?^[6]

Yes, all types may be used.

Background on the Halacha of starch-The status of Chametz starch:^[7]

Was placed on item prior to thirty days before Pesach: Actual Chametz, such as wheat starch or wheat milk [as opposed to merely Taaruvos Chametz], that was placed on laundered clothing thirty days before Pesach, does not need to be scraped off the clothing and destroyed before Pesach even if the Chametz is visible.[8] The same applies towards papers that were glued using dough, and the actual Chametz is visible to the outside, it is nevertheless not required to scrape it off and destroy it. [Nevertheless, it is forbidden to intentionally eat such Chametz.[9] If such Chametz fell into one’s food, it is implied that it requires 60x and majority does not suffice.[10]]

Was placed on item within thirty days before Pesach: If the Chametz starch was used for laundering the clothing or attaching the papers within thirty days before Pesach, then if the actual Chametz is visible and the entire clothing or a single paper all together contains a Kezayis of [visible[11]] Chametz[12], some Poskim[13] rule that one is required to scrape away all the visible Chametz. Practically, one is to suspect for their opinion. If, however, there is no visible Chametz, or it is not the amount of a Kezayis, then according to all opinions there is no obligation to scrape away the Chametz.

Wearing/Placing on table of food:^[14] In the event that one starched his clothing or tablecloth with Chametz starch, it is forbidden to place it on the table or wear while one is eating, during Pesach.[15] [Seemingly, this applies even if one starched the clothing prior to thirty days before Pesach.[16]] Likewise, one may not wrap any Pesach foods in this garment, even before Pesach. One may however wear the clothing during Pesach during non-eating times. [If the Chametz starch has been spoiled to the point it is not edible to a dog, then one may use this starch for his clothing, and may wear such clothing on Pesach.[17] Likewise, if it was mixed with other ingredients which render it inedible, it may be used.[18]]

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[1] Heard from Harav Eli Landau Shlita

[2] This applies only towards Chametz starch that is still edible when placed onto the products, as explained in Chapter 2 Halacha 1J that Chametz starch is Biblically forbidden to be eaten even unintentionally and requires 60x like regular Chametz even if it was produced prior to 30 days before Pesach. See there! However, starch which was mixed with other ingredients and made inedible, does not pose an unintentional eating prohibition, as explained above

[3] Heard from Harav Eli Landau Shlita

[4] Nitei Gavriel 77:17

[5] Nonetheless, from the letter of the law they may be used if the starch has already spoiled. [See Nitei Gavriel]

^[6] Rabbi Blumenkrantz digest

^[7] Admur 442:25

[8] The reason: As by the time Pesach arrives the Chametz has already hardened and lost its texture. Alternatively, it is permitted as it is no longer edible for a dog and is like mere dust of the earth. [Admur ibid]

[9] Admur 442:26

The reason: Its forbidden to eat just as is the law with all spoiled Chametz. See however next footnote!

[10] Implication of Admur 442:26 who forbids wearing such Chametz near foods; Rav Mordechai Belinuv in Paamei Yaakov 16:27

The reason: Although the flour starch that is on the clothing and other items loses its texture after thirty days and hence is allowed to be owned over Pesach even if the flour is visible and there is a Kezayis of flour on the garment, [Admur 442:25; Michaber 422:3] nevertheless, since the flour is still edible to a dog it therefore contains a complete eating prohibition. For this reason, it is forbidden to place it in proximity to food, as if it falls into food it is not nullified in majority but rather requires 60x. [see Admur 447:18] This is unlike Chametz that has spoiled to the point it is no longer fit for a dog, in which case majority suffices. [Admur 442:33] Accordingly, there are four levels of Chametz: 1) Actual Chametz which may not be owned and is never nullified; 2) Chametz Nuksha which may not be owned and is nullified in 60x; 3) Chametz that has lost its texture which may be owned but requires 60x. 4) Chametz that is spoiled for a dog which may be owned and is nullified in majority. [Paamei Yaakov ibid]

[11] See Kuntrus Achron 442:14 that the area made to stick the

[12] This applies even if the Chametz is scattered throughout the paper, and there is no single Kezayis piece in one areas, nevertheless, the paper joins it all together to form a Kezayis in this regard. [Admur ibid]

[13] 1^st opinion in Admur ibid; Rama 442:3

^[14] Admur 442:26

[15] The reason: As perhaps some of its Chametz will fly off the table cloth and land into one’s food. Likewise, the women scarves which are customarily starched with flour until they become thick are not to be worn while eating, as it is common for the flour to fly off of it. [Admur ibid]

[16] Implication of Admur ibid who does not mention any differentiation between before and after thirty days, even though in the previous Halacha a differentiation is made; Rav Mordechai Belinuv in Paamei Yaakov 16:27

The reason: Although the flour starch that is on the clothing and other items loses its texture after thirty days and hence is allowed to be owned over Pesach even if the flour is visible and there is a Kezayis of flour on the garment, [Admur 442:25; Michaber 422:3] nevertheless, since the flour is still edible to a dog it therefore contains a complete eating prohibition. For this reason it is forbidden to place it in proximity to food, as if it falls into food it is not nullified in majority but rather requires 60x. [see Admur 447:18] This is unlike Chametz that has spoiled to the point it is no longer fit for a dog, in which case majority suffices. [Admur 442:33] Accordingly, there are four levels of Chametz: 1) Actual Chametz which may not be owned and is never nullified; 2) Chametz Nuksha which may not be owned and is nullified in 60x; 3) Chametz that has lost its texture which may be owned but requires 60x. 4) Chametz that is spoiled for a dog which may be owned and is nullified in majority. [Paamei Yaakov ibid]

[17] Based on Admur 442:33; Paameiy Yaakov ibid; See above Halacha G!

[18] See Chapter 6 Halacha 4 that inedible Taaruvos Chametz is only forbidden in intentional eating