Allervibe
E901
White and yellow beeswax
A natural wax produced by honeybees, used to glaze and coat foods.
i Additive Details
| Is E901 White and yellow beeswax safe?
Beeswax is an animal product made by honeybees, so it is not vegan, although most vegetarians accept it. Traces of pollen and propolis can remain in the wax, so people with a confirmed allergy to bee products should treat it with caution, even though reactions from eating it are rare. On waxed fruit the coating sits on the peel, so peeling removes most of it.
| Uses
Gives a glossy, protective coat to confectionery, chocolate, chewing gum, small bakery goods and coffee beans, and is applied to the skin of fresh citrus, apples and melons. It also coats supplement tablets and serves as a carrier for flavourings.
| Interactions
Often blended with carnauba wax (E903) and shellac (E904) in a single coating, so one wax on the label does not tell you what else is in that layer. It is not digested and passes through the gut essentially unchanged.
| Origin
Secreted by glands of worker honeybees (Apis mellifera) to build honeycomb. Yellow beeswax is obtained by melting and straining the comb; white beeswax is the same wax after filtering and bleaching.
| Daily Intake
ADI not specified. Regulators consider use at the levels needed for a technological effect acceptable, and in the EU it is authorised as a surface treatment at quantum satis for defined foods.
Information is sourced from public regulatory bodies (EFSA, FDA, WHO) and is for reference only. Always read the package and consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.
Related additives
- E476 Polyglycerol polyricinoleate An emulsifier made from castor oil that thins melted chocolate so it flows and moulds evenly.
- E481 Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate An emulsifier and dough strengthener made by combining stearic acid with lactic acid.
- E551 Silicon dioxide A fine amorphous silica powder used to stop powdered foods from clumping.
- E903 Carnauba wax A hard plant wax from the leaves of the Brazilian carnauba palm, used to polish and glaze foods.
- E904 Shellac A resin secreted by the lac insect, used as a glazing agent to give a hard, shiny coat.
- E920 L-cysteine An amino acid used as a flour treatment agent to relax dough and shorten mixing and proving times.
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