Comparing E903 - Carnauba wax vs E905 - Synthetic wax

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Overview

E903 - Carnauba wax

Carnauba wax (E903) is a hard, natural wax from the leaves of the carnauba palm. Food makers use it as a glazing and anti-stick coating to give shine and protect foods during storage and transport. It also appears on some tablet and supplement coatings to help them swallow more easily.

E905 - Synthetic wax

Synthetic wax (E905) is a highly refined, petroleum‑derived wax used in tiny amounts to give foods a smooth, glossy finish or to keep them from sticking. It shows up most often on the outside of confections and in chewing gum coatings, and it is regulated with strict purity and use limits in both the U.S. and the EU. It does not add flavor or nutrition; it’s there to protect texture and appearance.

Synonyms

E903

Carnauba wax

carnauba wax coating agents

E905

Synthetic wax

Hydrocarbon wax

Fischer-Tropsch wax

Functions

glazing agent

Origins

Plant

Synthetic

Mineral

Products

Found in 9,053 products

Found in 1,468 products

Search rank & volume

#1409.7K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#317510 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×0.16

under-aware

×0.05

under-aware

Search volume over time

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

Interest over time for 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Popular questions

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