Pesach FAQs

Q. Someone has a chronic illness which requires her to eat cornstarch every single day.  How can she do so on Pesach without eating any chametz?

A. The general Ashkenazic custom is to refrain from eating kitnios, but that custom is waived for people who have a significant medical need. A Rabbi would sanction those people to eat kitnios but would caution them to avoid chametz.  In that context, several years ago, we contacted the OU regarding the Argo and Kingsford brands of pure cornstarch, and they informed us at the time that those products were produced without any chametz additives and suitable for use by anyone who may eat kitnios on Pesach.  It is worth verifying this information before each Pesach to make sure nothing has changed in the factory.