Q. Rapeseed oil is extracted from rapeseeds. In the past, rapeseed oil had a bitter taste. In recent years, a mild variety of rapeseed was cultivated and the less bitter extracted-oil became known as canola oil. Is rapeseed oil considered kitniyos?
A. The Sochatchover Rebbi, Rav Avrohom Borenstein (1838-1910) addresses this issue (Avnei Nezer, OC 533). He rules that rapeseed oil is kitniyos (despite the fact that it has a bitter taste) because rapeseeds grow in pods and are part of the mustard family which the Rama (OC 453:1) identifies as kitniyos. Thus it is clear that canola oil is kitniyos as well.
Although the conclusion of the Avnei Nezer is to permit kitniyos oil for reasons that are beyond the scope of this Halacha Yomis, the OU follows the position of many other poskim who do not sanction kitniyos oils under any circumstances. Therefore, the OU does not certify canola oil for Pesach. For a complete listing of kitniyos items please see https://oukosher.org/passover/guidelines/food-items/kitniyot-list/
This column comes from OU Kosher’s Halacha Yomis dedicated in memory of Rav Chaim Yisroel ben Reb Dov HaLevy Belsky, zt’l, Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016). Subscribers can also ask their own questions on Kashrus issues and send them to [email protected]. These questions and their answers may be selected to become one of the Q and A’s on OU Kosher Halacha Yomis.
Rape seed oil is canola oil. Look it up on Wikipedia why they changed the name.
Rav Belsky Zt”l likewise paskened that Cottonseed oil should not be used on Pesach (which is how Rav Elyashiv Zt”l pakened as well).
*Correction: It is known Rav Belsky Zt”l paskened that Quinoa is kitniyos, which is how Rav Elyashiv pakened as well. Regarding cottonseed oil, more are meikel, perhaps the author of the article could clarify what Rav Belsky paskened (although Rav Dovid Feinstein and many other poskim pasken it should not be used on Pesach).