Comparing E905B - petroleum jelly vs E905 - Synthetic wax

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Overview

E905B - petroleum jelly

Petroleum jelly (E905B) is a highly refined blend of hydrocarbons used in tiny amounts to make foods shiny and less sticky. It works as a glazing or release agent, helping sweets, nuts, and tablets keep their shape and finish. Regulators set strict purity rules so only food‑grade material is used.

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

E905b

petroleum jelly

petrolatum

white petrolatum

soft paraffin

multi-hydrocarbon

E905

Synthetic wax

Hydrocarbon wax

Fischer-Tropsch wax

Functions

glazing agent

Origins

Mineral

Synthetic

Mineral

Products

Found in 98 products

Found in 1,468 products

Search rank & volume

#4665.9K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#317510 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×93.57

over-aware

×0.05

under-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 6 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 petroleum jelly bad for you?
No—highly refined white petrolatum (E905b) is considered safe at permitted food-use levels and for topical use; use only pharmaceutical/food-grade products and avoid putting it inside the nose or using it with latex condoms.
Is aquaphor petroleum jelly?
Not exactly; Aquaphor contains about 41% petrolatum (petroleum jelly) plus other ingredients like mineral oil, ceresin, glycerin, and lanolin alcohol.
Does petroleum jelly expire?
Pure petroleum jelly is very stable and often usable for years, but most products carry an expiration date—discard if the color, texture, or odor changes or if the container has been contaminated.
Is petroleum jelly the same as vaseline?
Vaseline is a brand of 100% white petrolatum; generic petroleum jelly labeled USP/Ph.Eur. grade is essentially the same substance.
What is petroleum jelly made of?
A semi-solid mixture of high–molecular-weight saturated hydrocarbons (paraffinic and microcrystalline) derived from refined petroleum and purified to remove aromatic impurities.