What is E901?
Beeswax (E901) is a wax used mainly as a glazing, coating, carrier or surface-treatment ingredient in specified foods. Goodnessly rates E901 Safe, while food-category permissions and the relevant regulator assessment still apply.
Beeswax (E901) is a wax used mainly as a glazing, coating, carrier or surface-treatment ingredient in specified foods. Check the food category, amount and full formulation rather than judging one ingredient in isolation.
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Read the FAQ →
What is Beeswax, white and yellow?
E901 is beeswax obtained from honeycombs; white beeswax is a bleached form of yellow beeswax. It can provide a coating or surface finish.
What's it used for?
- Glazing or coating selected foods
- Helping provide a surface finish
- Acting as a carrier in permitted preparations
- Supporting texture and handling in some formulations
Where you'll find E901 on the shelf
You may see E901 on coated confectionery, fruit or other foods where a shiny surface or protective coating is wanted.
Is E901 permitted? What the regulators say
E901 is listed or permitted in the three systems checked, with category, level and specification conditions applying.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted with conditions | FSANZ lists 901 beeswax, white and yellow, with Schedule 15 permissions applying by food category. [FSANZ source] |
| EU European Union (EUR-Lex) | Authorised with conditions | The Union list includes E901 beeswax, white and yellow, for specified foods and preparation uses under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and Annex III. [EUR-Lex source] |
| US United States (FDA) | Permitted with conditions | FDA food-ingredient provisions recognise beeswax for specified direct food uses under the applicable conditions of use. |
Goodnessly rates E901 Safe within its rating system. The rating does not remove the need to consider the product category, amount or full formulation.
- The JECFA specification was revised in 2005 and covers both yellow and white beeswax. EFSA’s food-additive programme remains the place to check for any later EU assessment or follow-up.
- JECFA’s 65th meeting considered beeswax to be of no toxicological concern for the listed functional uses; it did not establish a numerical ADI. Food-category permissions and specifications remain relevant.
- An ADI or “not specified” conclusion is a population risk-assessment reference, not a statement that a particular food is unsafe.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — confirm the current primary source before relying on a regulatory detail.
Who might want to limit or avoid it
- People avoiding animal-derived ingredients
- People comparing coated foods
- People checking how often glazing agents appear in a product
Goodnessly rates E901 Safe as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Beeswax
- White beeswax
- Yellow beeswax
- 901 or E901
- Glazing agent (901)
Ingredient labels may use the name, the number, or the additive class followed by the number.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What is E901?
E901 is beeswax, including white and yellow beeswax, used mainly for glazing, coating or related functions.
Is E901 permitted?
E901 is listed with conditions in Australia/New Zealand and the EU. US food-ingredient rules also provide for specified beeswax uses.
Does beeswax have a numerical ADI?
JECFA did not establish a numerical ADI and considered beeswax to be of no toxicological concern for the listed functional uses.
How does Goodnessly rate E901?
Goodnessly rates E901 (beeswax, white and yellow) as Safe within its rating system.
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