Avoid Purchasing Chometz Items from Target and Other Stores

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bread-challahThe Star-K has informed Matzav.com that buying chometz items from Target chain stores and other establishments on the East Coast now, after Pesach, is not recommended, as the establishments purchase their foodstuffs from a Jewish distributor that does not sell its chometz. The Star-K recommends waiting one month after Yom Tov before buying chometzdike items from Target. This is not a chiyuv, but a recommendation.

Chometz from the following national stores can be bought without any concern, according to the Star-K:

BJ’s
CVS
Costco
Food Lion
K-Mart
Mars
Petco
Petsmart
Rite-Aid
Royal Farms
Sam’s Discount Warehouse
Shoppers Food Warehouse
Sav-A-Lot
Trader Joe’s
Walmart

Walgreens

Non-problematic stores in in Baltimore, MD, are:

A-Z Savings
Dugan’s Liquor
Dunkin Donuts (1508 & 7000 Reisterstown Road)
Earth Origins Market
7-Eleven (Fords Ln, Hooks Ln, Old Ct Rd, Reisterstown Rd north of Slade Ave)
Savings Center (4003 Seven Mile Lane)
Shoprite Timonium (37 Aylesbury Road, Lutherville, MD21093)
Seven Mile Market
Village Liquors

Guide To Purchasing Chometz After Pesach

After Pesach, there is a Rabbinic injunction of not eating or deriving benefit from Chometz SHeAvar Alav HaPesach (henceforth abbreviated Chometz SHAAHP), chometz that was in the possession of a Jew on Pesach.  Therefore, after Pesach, consumers must ascertain that thechometz they purchase was not in the possession of a Jew on Pesach.  Chometz may be purchased from a store owned by a gentile.  In Hilchos Pesach, a store is considered owned by a gentile if the gentile owns more than half of the store.  In a corporation, at least 51% of the voting stock must be owned by gentiles, otherwise, the chometz becomes Chometz SHAAHP.

Chometz may be purchased from a Jewish owned store whose owner properly sold thechometz before Pesach (e.g. Star-K Jewish owned facilities).  A “proper” sale means thechometz is sold to a gentile (through one’s Rav) and put away in a designated enclosed area throughout Pesach.  A Rav should be consulted regarding stores that “sell” their chometzbefore Pesach, yet continue to purchase new chometz on Pesach or allow customers to purchase the chometz from their store during Pesach.

If one has a reasonable doubt as to whether a product was in the possession of a Jew duringPesach, it may be purchased after Pesach.  For example, one may purchase pizza crusts with a reliable kosher certification from a store owned by gentiles even though the chometz may have been in the possession of a Jewish distributor during Pesach, who in turn sold the pizza crusts to this store (safek d’rabonon lekulah).  The prohibition applies only when one is certain, or where there is a strong reason to suspect Chometz SHAAHP. One should check with his local Vaad HaKashrus to determine the status of local Jewish distributors and their possible impact upon Chometz SHAAHP.

It is important to note that products found in major supermarkets have a two-week turnaround time.  This means, if one finds chometz gamur more than two weeks after Pesach on the shelf of a Jewish owned store that did not sell its chometz, one may assume the store acquired the product after Pesach, and there is no problem of Chometz SHAAHP (unless there is a known problem with a Jewish distributor who does not sell his chometz.)Products found in smaller “Mom & Pop” shops may have remained on the shelf for a longer period of time, and clarification of turnaround time for such a particular store must be made.

The turnaround time for alcoholic beverages at liquor stores is longer than that of products in supermarkets.  Popular liquor stores generally maintain inventory for about six weeks.  A prudent person should wait until after Shavuos before buying liquor from a store that has an issue of Chometz SHAAHP.  At that time, one can assume all inventory arrived after Pesach.

If one accidentally purchases chometz gamur immediately after Pesach from a store that sells Chometz SHAAHP, one may not derive benefit from the chometz.  However, one may return it for a refund as the sale is a mekach ta’os, a mistaken sale.  Returning the product does not constitute deriving benefit.

The following chart offers guidelines as to which products are Chometz SHAAHP.  “Yes” next to a product indicates the product is subject to the halachos of Chometz SHAAHP.  After Pesach, one may only purchase these products from a Jewish owned store that properly sold its chometz, or from a store owned by a gentile.  “No” next to a product indicates the product is not subject to the halachos of Chometz SHAAHP.  These products may be purchased at any store after PesachCLICK HERE FOR THE CHART AND SCROLL DOWN.

{Star-K/Gavriel Sitrit-Matzav.com Newscenter}


15 COMMENTS

  1. Perhaps the title of this post is a bit misleading as the original posting by the Star K speaks about Targets in the Baltimore and Lakewood areas. Target is national and all over the USA and different states have different suppliers. Each community should investigate about their local Target.

  2. I think STAR K itself has a different opinion. See article on page 61 in their Pesach directory they say its “commendable”.

  3. I would like to thank the Star-K for helping us by publicizing this list. Kal Hakavod to the Star-K.

  4. my understanding is that the issue with Target is a local issue in Maryland. And there, it’s not just Target but all the stores that buy from that Jewish distributor. Call your local kashrus organization regarding your local Targets and the like.

  5. Respectfully, This is an irresponsible title. The star-k is talking ONLY about the Baltimore area, not nationally.
    This was confirmed by me and another Rav with the Star-k.

  6. Just curious is the Star K recomondation directed at Baltimore or does it apply across the country.

    The Star K says that “C&S Suppliers” supply Target with Chometz. Is that particular to the Baltimore area? Tri State Area? East Coast? Or Nationwide?

  7. Just curious is the Star K recommendation directed at Baltimore or does it apply across the country.

    The Star K says that “C&S Suppliers” supply Target with Chometz. Is that particular to the Baltimore area? Tri State Area? East Coast? Or Nationwide?

  8. from previous it was said that all targets throughout the country buy theirs goods from the same distributor. if that was/is the case it would be an issue not only in Maryland but throughout the whole united states.
    correct me if you have verified information otherwise.

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