Jewish Law
Daily Halacha: Eating Colorful Foods Like Lollipops on Shabbat
Learn whether eating candy or popsicles that color your mouth is considered coloring on Shabbat, according to Rabbi Ovadia Yosef’s halachic rulings
- Daily Halacha
- פורסם ח' שבט התשע"ח

#VALUE!
If someone eats a lollipop and their lips or mouth become colored, is there a problem with that on Shabbat?
The halachic answer is no, there is no prohibition. When a person eats a colorful food like a lollipop, candy, or ice pop, and the coloring stains the lips, mouth, or hands, it is considered part of the regular act of eating. Since the person didn’t intend to color their lips and it happened naturally while enjoying the food, it is completely permitted on Shabbat.
This ruling is found in Chazon Ovadia.
What about wiping your mouth or hands with a napkin after eating something colorful?
Sometimes, after eating, a person’s mouth or hands are stained and they want to wipe them clean with a napkin. In this case, halacha says it is good to be careful and first wash your hands with water before using the napkin. This is just to avoid any concern of "coloring" the napkin.
However, if someone does not wash first and wipes anyway, they are not doing something forbidden. Those who are lenient have halachic opinions they can rely on, but it is praiseworthy to be more careful when possible.
This is based on Chazon Ovadia.
From “Ach Tov V’Chesed – Daily Halacha” by Hidabroot