Q. My baby got as a present a stuffed bear, best described in the instructions as; “Filled with 100% natural wheat and lavender, it can be safely warmed or chilled at will. Use to soothe, comfort and relax with The Cozy Collection animals. Each animal is lovingly filled with 100% natural wheat and gently scented with dried French lavender. After just 2 minutes in the microwave, they heat up to release a wonderfully warm, calming aroma.”
My baby got used to the toy and needs it to fall asleep. I doubt the stuffing is edible. Can we use it in Peisach?
A. Besides stuffed toys, wheat heat bags have been used for many years as an inexpensive, convenient and reusable winter warmer and as a heat treatment for sore muscles.
What is the status of the wheat in them in regards to chometz, may not be so easily determined as processes change from one manufacturer to another and also from time to time. An indicator that it may still be edible at least for insects, are the complains of some customers in regards to bug infestations. (see http://katu.com/archive/really-gross-mom-finds-bugs-infesting-daughters-stuffed-animal-11-20-2015 – It baffles however, how the insects survived the microwave heating). Also the fact that there are warnings for children affected with gluten allergies (see: https://blog.foodallergy.org/ 2016/02/17/ consumer-alert-toys-may-contain-hidden-allergens/).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that in principle the stuffed toys may be compared to the case of a block of chametz that was designated for seating on it, that Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 442: 9) permits to use on Pesach. Mishna Berura (ibid. 41, 42) explains that Poskim maintain that two requirements have to be met. Firstly, it has to be designated completely and solely for a use that is not food and annulled from being an aliment. Secondly, it has to be totally covered. When these two conditions are met, even if it is still edible, one may use it during Pesach. The stuffed toys may just meet the above conditions.
However, the Rov Shlit’a recommends replacing the bear with a similar toy stuffed with synthetic materials that perform better and are safer.
Besides, the issue of Pesach, insect infestations and allergens, there is a safety warning on these toys. It has been found that children’s cuddly toys containing wheat bags needed only a few minutes in the microwave to pose a potentially deadly threat to consumers. in the wake of reported house fires and bodily injuries. Tests showed that a typical wheat bag was heated for just two minutes (at full power in an 1100W microwave oven). The outer material was a comfortably warm 50-55°C, but the internal temperature reached well over 70°C. Even higher temperatures were measured after another minute of heating. After a few minutes the wheat bag was steaming hot, and after seven minutes it began to smolder. The microwave was stopped after eight minutes because of intense and noxious smoke. The toy measured over 200°C. (see; https://www.choice.com.au/about-us/media-releases/2013/june/winter-wheat-bag-warning). Chamira Sakanta Meisura,
Important Numbers
