Allervibe
E903
Carnauba wax
A hard plant wax from the leaves of the Brazilian carnauba palm, used to polish and glaze foods.
i Additive Details
| Is E903 Carnauba wax safe?
Carnauba wax comes from a palm leaf, not from an animal, so it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Readers often assume that every glazing agent is animal-derived, which is not the case here. It is not absorbed from the gut and is not a recognised allergen.
| Uses
Gives a hard, high-gloss finish to coated sweets, chewing gum, chocolate, coffee beans and supplement tablets, and is applied to the skin of fresh fruit to slow moisture loss.
| Interactions
It is frequently combined with beeswax (E901) and shellac (E904) in the same coating, and both of those are insect-derived, so carnauba on the label does not by itself make a glaze vegan.
| Origin
Harvested from the leaves of the Copernicia prunifera palm in north-eastern Brazil. The cut leaves are dried, the wax flakes off, and it is then melted, filtered and graded.
| Daily Intake
An ADI of 7 mg per kilogram of body weight per day applies; EFSA confirmed this figure in its 2012 re-evaluation and found no safety concern at reported levels of use.
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
- 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.
- E901 White and yellow beeswax A natural wax produced by honeybees, used to glaze and coat 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.
- E1404 Oxidised starch A starch treated with an oxidising agent to give thinner, clearer and more stable pastes.
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