Carnauba Wax | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Carnauba wax is a natural vegetable wax obtained from the leaves of the Brazilian wax palm Copernicia cerifera, composed mainly of long-chain aliphatic esters, α-hydroxyl esters, and cinnamic diesters. It is used in food as a glazing agent to provide shine, reduce moisture loss, and extend the shelf life of confectionery, fruits, and other products.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

EFSA (2012) concluded there is no genotoxicity concern and that subchronic and reproductive toxicity studies showed no adverse effects; however, no chronic toxicity or carcinogenicity data were available and EFSA did not establish a numerical ADI. JECFA established an ADI of 0–7 mg/kg bw/day based on a NOAEL of 670 mg/kg bw/day from reproductive studies in rats. Exposure from authorised food uses results in sufficient margins of safety and is not considered a safety concern for the general population.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Authorised as a glazing agent under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II. EFSA re-evaluation (2012) found no safety concern at authorised use levels; no numerical ADI established by EFSA. Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/651 further extended authorised uses to include surface treatment of cassavas.source
Food Standards Agency (FSA) / Food Standards Scotland (FSS) (United Kingdom)	Approved	Authorised in England, Scotland, and Wales under assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (Annex II and III) and Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 for specifications. Last updated April 2025.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Listed as GRAS under 21 CFR §184.1978 for use as a surface-finishing agent in food at levels consistent with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Codified in Federal Register 48:51147, November 1983.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Other — Individuals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to carnauba wax (a recognised but rare contact allergen) should exercise caution, as sensitisation reactions have been reported in occupational and cosmetic exposure settings, and cross-reactivity with food-grade use cannot be fully excluded.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1other. Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/651 of 2 April 2025 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, 2025. eur-lex.europa.eu
2PubMed. Carnauba wax uses in food — A review, 2019. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3EFSA. Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of carnauba wax (E 903) as a food additive, 2012. efsa.europa.eu
4WHO. JECFA evaluation of carnauba wax — ADI of 0–7 mg/kg bw/day (51st JECFA, 1998), 1998. fao.org
5FDA. Carnauba Wax — 21 CFR §184.1978 (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21), 1983. accessdata.fda.gov

Independently researched5 citations