<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

I haven’t seen any posts about Passover this year.  We have so many other options for gf foods all year, Passover is no longer awaited with excitement for a plethora of gf products.   But for those who are new to celiac or don’t know…here’s the low down, in case you see something that looks good (and the price doesn’t overwhelm you! Hey, gf isn’t cheap either.)

Matzah, matzah meal, cake meal, matzah farfel…in any spelling…has wheat in it (unless it’s one of the newer gf products that say gluten-free.) Spelt matzah is also not gf.

Religious laws control what can be eaten or now at Passover, so labeling becomes very clear….which was a big deal before food labels were improved, confusing as they still are sometimes.  But Passover products…they are crystal clear.  And many are now actually saying gluten-free, which makes it even easier.

So…if you buy a product that says Kosher for Passover (not just kosher), or it has an O with a U inside and a P after it,  or a “Kp” on it, (both of which mean kosher for Passover)  then look for those four matzah ingredients.  If they’re NOT there, by Jewish law, there will be no wheat or any other gluten in it, and there is no chance of cross contamination.  The factories either clean out the lines or use a dedicated facility.

So..absence of matzah product = gluten-free.  (Or buy the ones marked gluten-free already)

Also, look for "no Gebrochts" on "non-Gebrochts”  Vaguely, it means nothing that has swelled up or risen.  Without going into Jewish law, all products labeled non-Gebrochts or no Gebrochts…are inherently gluten-free.  

With all the fattening stuff we can buy during the year that is gluten-free, I no longer stock up at Passover time, even thought I clean my house and change dishes and pots for Passover and have two seders.  If anything, the only thing I stock up on is the jarred gefilte fish that says no matzah meal.  Otherwise, it’s not that critical anymore.  I also look for frozen cheese blintzes (crepes) made with potato starch, but they’re not easy to find.

Warning, it you need the stuff, buy it fast.  Passover is in two weeks, and the stuff is vanishing from the shelves as we speak.  I will never understand how cakes can be delivered from various bakeries to supermarkets, weeks in advance…and not go bad by Passover.  I don’t know about you, but when I bake, my cake doesn’t last two months.  Makes you wonder if it’s even edible!  They don’t taste bad, but just seems strange.

With that note…Enjoy.

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