Comparing E903 - Carnauba wax vs E1203 - Polyvinyl alcohol

Synonyms
E903
Carnauba wax
carnauba wax coating agents
E1203
Polyvinyl alcohol
Vinyl alcohol polymer
PVOH
PVAl
Products

Found in 9,053 products

Found in 57 products

Search rank & volume
#1409.7K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#1835.5K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×0.16
under-aware

×12.97
over-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 5 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Popular questions
  1. Is carnauba wax edible?

    Yes—E903 carnauba wax is an approved food glazing/coating agent and is considered safe at typical food levels; it’s essentially inert and passes through the body undigested.

  2. Is carnauba wax vegan?

    Yes—it's a plant-derived wax from the leaves of the carnauba palm and is generally considered vegan.

  3. What is carnauba wax in food?

    It’s a plant wax used as a glazing/coating agent to add shine, prevent sticking, and reduce moisture loss on products like candies, chewing gum, chocolate, and some fruits.

  4. Where does carnauba wax come from?

    It comes from the leaves of the carnauba palm (Copernicia prunifera) native to northeastern Brazil; the dried leaves are beaten to release the wax, which is then refined.

  5. How long does carnauba wax last?

    The wax itself is very stable and can be stored for years if kept cool and dry; on foods, the thin coating lasts through the product’s normal shelf life but doesn’t significantly extend it.

  1. Is polyvinyl alcohol plastic?

    Yes—polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a synthetic plastic polymer; unlike many plastics, it is water‑soluble and used as a film-former, coating, and thickener.

  2. Is polyvinyl alcohol safe?

    Yes—at permitted food-use levels it’s considered safe by regulators (e.g., EU as E1203; FDA for specific uses), is poorly absorbed, and is largely excreted; very high amounts may cause digestive discomfort.

  3. Is polyvinyl alcohol a microplastic?

    Generally no; PVA is water‑soluble and thus not classified as a microplastic under definitions that target solid, insoluble polymer particles.

  4. Is polyvinyl alcohol halal?

    Yes—it's synthetically produced (no animal-derived ingredients) and is generally regarded as halal; for assurance, check for product-specific halal certification.

  5. Is polyvinyl alcohol a plastic?

    Yes—it's a synthetic plastic polymer, though it is water‑soluble and commonly used as a film-forming agent and coating.