If you are a business serving Jewish clientele, you may receive inquiries about whether your products are certified kosher or certified kosher for Passover. Perhaps you’ve even gone through the extensive process of achieving kosher certification and are now wondering whether you should also seek kosher for Passover certification.

But what is the difference between kosher and kosher for Passover certification?

What is kosher?
The word kosher is derived from the Hebrew word for “proper” or “correct.” The kashrut laws have to do with the cleanliness and sanctity of the food, including the production process. Therefore, kosher products are often perceived as higher quality, even by those who do not observe kashrut, the Jewish dietary law according to the Torah.

Eating kosher for Passover products during the holiday is one way that the Jewish people celebrate and retell the story of the first Passover. According to the Jewish religion, when the enslaved Jews fled from Egypt, they packed baked bread that did not have time to rise, in their haste. Unleavened bread, or matzah, became the symbolic food of Passover. Kosher for Passover products also exclude certain grains, including wheat (other than what’s used in matzah), oat, barley, spelt, and rye.

Differences between kosher and kosher for Passover
To put it simply, kosher law is broader, whereas kosher for Passover is a more restrictive subset within the kosher classification. Kosher for Passover is observed only temporarily, during the Passover holiday.

Here is a summary of the differences between kosher and kosher for Passover.

Kosher:
Applies year-round for those within the Jewish community who observe kashrut.
Consists of basic Jewish dietary law laid out in the Torah.
Avoids mixing meat and dairy.
Ensures proper animal processing and food preparation.

Kosher for Passover:
Includes all the above restrictions.
Applies only during Passover.
Extends to exclude chametz, or leavened breads and the prohibited grains.
Matzah is a central symbolic food.

Common industries rely on kosher for Passover certifications
You may be surprised to discover that kosher and kosher for Passover certifications could be important to your business. These certifications are relevant for businesses in the food industry, as well as those in the food industry’s supply chain.

In the modern world, kosher laws are not as straight-forward as they once were, and often require additional interpretation from Jewish scholars. For example, the Torah, written long ago, does not account for industrial food production and chemicals used in manufacturing, but these processes are still very much subject to kosher specifications. Therefore, rabbinic scholars have re-interpreted kosher law to encompass industrialization.

Common food chemicals certified kosher for Passover
Chemicals may be eligible for kosher for Passover certification, provided they are approved for standard kosher certification, and they are also grain-free (chametz-free). Although you might expect that most chemicals are automatically chametz-free, grain can hide in sneaky places during the certification process. For example, prior to corn-derived ethanol fermentation, corn starch may be treated with enzymes to convert the starch into a more suitable starting material. These enzymes must be certified chametz-free in order for the final chemical product to be eligible for kosher for Passover certification. Corn is also not kosher for Passover for many who celebrate Passover, even though it is not one of the prohibited grains.

How can kosher for Passover ingredients benefit your business?
Offering true kosher for Passover ingredients allows your business to cater to a growing market of individuals and companies seeking products that meet strict kosher dietary standards during this important holiday. By providing certified high-quality chemicals, you demonstrate a commitment to quality, inclusivity, and cultural sensitivity, which can help build trust and loyalty among kosher consumers. Enhance your brand’s reputation and open new opportunities for partnerships and sales within a highly specialized and dedicated customer base by having your products become certified as kosher for Passover.

Lab Alley offers a wide range of kosher-certified products to help our customers meet the growing demand for natural, compliant, and high-quality ingredients. Whether you're in food production, pharmaceuticals, or research, our kosher options ensure you can maintain the highest standards while serving diverse markets with confidence. For more information about Lab Alley and its products, please visit LabAlley.com.