E901: White and yellow beeswax

What is E901?

Beeswax (E901) is the natural wax that honey bees secrete to build their honeycomb. White beeswax is the bleached form, while yellow beeswax is the purified but unbleached form; both consist mainly of esters of fatty acids and long-chain alcohols.

Origin and production

It is collected from honeycombs after honey harvesting, then melted, filtered and, for the white grade, bleached.

Why is it used?

In food it serves mainly as a glazing agent, giving sweets a glossy, non-sticky surface and preventing pieces from clinging together. It is typical on gummy candies, jelly beans and other confectionery, and it can also be used as a carrier for colours and as a coating on some fruit.

Vegan, vegetarian and halal

Beeswax is an animal product, so it is not considered vegan, although it is usually accepted by vegetarians because bees are not killed to obtain it. Halal and kosher acceptance varies between certification bodies, so certified products are the most reliable guide.

Safety and regulation

E901 is authorised in the EU for a limited set of uses such as glazing confectionery and coating fruit, and it has been evaluated by EFSA.

Common in