FAQs

Q. If ethanol can be made from chametz and one is not allowed to own or benefit from chametz, does that mean that I should not use ethanol to fuel my car on Pesach?

A. You may use ethanol to fuel a car because:

• • In the United States, the overwhelming majority of that type of ethanol is produced from corn, which is kitnios (and one is permitted to own and benefit from kitnios on Pesach).
  • In the United States, ethanol is rarely used as a fuel in a pure state. Rather, it is mixed with 15-90% gasoline, and the gasoline mixed in renders the fuel completely inedible (נפסל מאכילת כלב) such that it is permissible to own and benefit from it on Pesach.