Bitul B’Rov in Gummy Bears

Question

I was in touch with Rav Auerbach a while ago about a business on line I had selling gummy bear candies which contain gelatin. At the time the rav told me that I should not continue with this line of business, especially considering that these bears contain gelatin made from chazirim, where there is a special gezeira not to do business with them (see Shach 117,1).

At the current time I would like to ask the Rav if the halacha differs for a candy where the gelatin is so miniscule that it is batel b’shishsim.

Thank You,

Chaim

Rav Auerbach

First of all, I must commend you on the fact that you stopped selling the gummy bears for the sake of fulfilling this halacha. In the merit of bring m’dakdek b’mitzvos, Hashem should send you parnasa b’shefa.

Your initial question involved a case where the gelatin was not batel b’shshim. The primary issur of sechora, selling food items which are prohibited is selling items which are actual issur or there is not bitul  (see Yoreh Deah 117). Even though it is certainly forbidden to eat the candies where the issur is batel but is still functioning as a ma’mid, a solidifying agent in the candy, as far as the issur sechora is concerned you can be lenient.