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I heard recently in the name of Rav Hershel Schachter that you can consume Listerine strips (such as these) on both Yom Kippur and Pesach without worry.
I wonder if anyone can confirm this, and explain to me why and how it would be okay? It'd sure change my Yom Kippur...
You can listen to him discuss it here at 56:12. He says it isn't rau'i l'achilat adam (fit for human consumption) so it isn't considered eating. He quotes some opinions that it is a problem of washing the inside of the mouth on Yom Kippur, but he doesn't seem so impressed by the idea.
I was just recently asked this shaila, so I told the shoel to contact Rav Shachter directly. Here's what happened: "After trying a few times I finally got through. He was very nice and patient! He said that years back the Listerine strips had no flavor and tasted awful in which case there might be a heter, however these days the Listerine strips have flavor and it’s for sure assur because people actually have benefit from the flavor."
