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E903Glazing agentLow concern
Carnauba Wax
In plain words
The short version
A vegan glazing wax from the leaves of the Brazilian carnauba palm — used to polish candy and pharmaceutical tablets.
Why it's green
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
JECFA set an ADI of 0–7 mg/kg body weight (1992). EFSA (2012) did not set an ADI because long-term toxicity data were lacking, but concluded that the currently authorised uses are not of safety concern. Considered safe at typical use levels. Not absorbed; passes through the digestive tract. No documented allergenicity.
The detail
Harvested from the dried leaves of the Brazilian carnauba palm (Copernicia prunifera). The wax is naturally exuded by the tree as a water-loss barrier. Production is concentrated in northeastern Brazil; the industry remains largely manual.
Used to polish coated confectionery (M&Ms, Skittles, Tic Tacs), chewing gum, fresh fruit, and pharmaceutical tablets. Provides a hard, high-gloss finish — among the hardest natural waxes. Vegan-compatible glazing alternative to beeswax.
Hard yellowish wax, insoluble in water, soluble in hot organic solvents. Melts at 82–86°C — among the highest of natural waxes. Provides exceptionally high gloss.
In the EU, permitted only in listed foods, mainly as a glazing agent or surface treatment, with maximum levels such as 200 mg/kg on fruit, 500 mg/kg in confectionery and 1,200 mg/kg in chewing gum. In the US it is GRAS for listed food categories under good manufacturing practice.
Sources
- EFSA — Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of carnauba wax (E 903) as a food additive, EFSA Journal 2012;10(10):2880, doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2880 (abstract via FAO AGRIS record supplied by EFSA) — European Food Safety Authority (ANS Panel), 2012. JECFA ADI 7 mg/kg bw; EFSA set no ADI (lack of long-term data) but no safety concern at authorised uses
- WHO JECFA database — Carnauba wax (INS 903), ADI 0–7 mg/kg bw (39th meeting, 1992) — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 1992. Numerical ADI 0–7 mg/kg bw
- eCFR — 21 CFR 184.1978 Carnauba wax (GRAS) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration / Office of the Federal Register, 1983. US: GRAS for listed food categories at GMP levels; source palm
- EUR-Lex — Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, consolidated text of 18 August 2026 (Annex II) — European Union (Publications Office), 2026. EU: numerical maximum levels (200–1,200 mg/kg; 3,600 mg/kg on coloured boiled eggs)
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.