Kosher for Passover vitamins and supplements

By the KosherVitamins.com team · Updated November 6, 2026

On Pesach, vitamins raise extra questions: some contain chametz (leavened grain) or kitniyot. Agencies treat vitamins differently from medicine, so here is what to know before the holiday.

Vitamins vs. medicine on Pesach

• cRc (citing Rav Gedalia Dov Schwartz): vitamins are generally not medicine; they are food supplements that need Pesach supervision. If a doctor prescribed an uncertified vitamin, review it with the doctor and a rabbi.
• Star-K divides people into three groups: if life may be in danger, take whatever is needed; if ill but not in danger, swallowable tablets and capsules may be taken (and kitniyot is allowed); if healthy or with only slight discomfort, use only chametz-free products (for example from Rabbi Bess’s list), preferably without kitniyot. The Star-K calls it praiseworthy for healthy people to avoid vitamins that are not certified for Pesach.
• OU (for medicines): non-chewable medicine pills may be owned and used even if they contain chametz, because they are inedible, but if an equally effective chametz-free alternative is available, use it; kitniyot medicines are permitted for people who are ill. Liquids, chewables and flavored pills are treated as edible. The OU handles nutritional supplements separately, on its supplements page.
• COR: vitamins and food supplements that contain chametz should not be used; medicine containing kitniyot is allowed for someone who feels ill.

Chametz ingredients to watch for

• Brewer's yeast is chametz (baker's yeast is not).
• Grain alcohol (ethanol) in liquid supplements can come from chametz.
• Starch, dextrose, maltodextrin and sorbitol may come from wheat or corn, and the label usually doesn't say which. The Star-K notes that "gluten-free" does not mean chametz-free.
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and citric acid are often made from glucose, which can come from grain or corn, so they need Passover certification.
• Fiber supplements made from wheat (such as wheat dextrin) are chametz.

Kitniyot

Ashkenazim customarily avoid kitniyot on Pesach. In supplements, common kitniyot ingredients include corn starch, corn syrup, dextrose, soy and rice. Agencies generally allow kitniyot for someone who is ill (cRc, Star-K, OU, COR). Many Sephardim eat kitniyot; follow your family's custom.

The P symbol

A year-round kosher symbol does not mean kosher for Passover. Look for a Passover marking such as OU-P (kosher for Passover and pareve) or OK P, or a special Passover sticker. For example, the OU has listed Maxi Health chametz-free prenatal capsules sold with a special sticker bearing the OU symbol (check the current year’s list). See our guide to kosher symbols.

Where to find this year's Passover lists

Formulas change, so use the list for the current year:

• cRc Pesach medicine and cosmetics list, at ASKcRc.org.
• Rabbi Gershon Bess's list (Kollel Los Angeles, distributed with the Star-K). It is updated every year from written company statements, covers chametz status only, and generally does not address kitniyot or year-round kosher status.
• OU Passover medicine guidelines at oukosher.org.
• COR chametz-free medication list at cor.ca. Items must match exactly as named.
• Kashrut.com posts copies of many agencies' lists each year.

Before Pesach we also carry Passover products; check each product's page and the current year's lists.

Shop

Frequently asked questions

More guides

• Kosher certification symbols on vitamins and supplements
• How to tell if a vitamin or supplement is kosher
• Kosher capsules and gelatin: softgels, veggie caps and fish gelatin
• Kosher fish oil and omega-3
• Kosher probiotics: dairy vs. pareve
• Kosher vitamin D: D3, D2 and vegan options
• Is glucosamine kosher? Shellfish vs. vegetarian glucosamine

Sources

• cRc: Pesach general medicine guidelines
• STAR-K: halachos of taking medicine on Pesach
• OU Kosher: Passover medicine guidelines
• OU Kosher: nutritionals and dietary supplements on Pesach
• COR: chametz-free medications
• OU Kosher: all OU symbols explained
• STAR-K: kitniyos chart
• Kashrut.com: Passover lists