Microcrystalline wax
Score impact
0.00
points/product
Description
Microcrystalline wax (E905) is a food additive classified in the 'Other' category in the European Union. It is a mixture of long-chain saturated hydrocarbons, mainly branched alkanes and cycloalkanes, obtained from petroleum through refining processes. Its origin is synthetic, derived from crude oil, from which wax fractions are separated by distillation and dewaxing.
Industrially, it is obtained by dewaxing lubricating oils, followed by deodorization and purification to remove aromatic compounds and other contaminants. Physicochemical properties include a melting point between 60 and 90 °C, insolubility in water, solubility in organic solvents, and a plastic and malleable texture. Its main function in foods is as a coating agent, providing shine and surface protection, and as a release agent to prevent foods from sticking to molds or packaging. It is also used as a glazing agent on fruits and vegetables, and as a sealant in supplement capsules.
The history of its use as a food additive dates back to the mid-20th century, and it was approved in the EU after evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). EFSA established an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0-10 mg/kg body weight for microcrystalline wax, based on chronic toxicity studies in animals that showed no significant adverse effects. WHO also considers it safe at authorized use levels.
Regarding overall safety assessment, microcrystalline wax is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the US FDA, although in the EU its use is restricted to certain food categories. On labeling, it must appear as 'microcrystalline wax' or 'E905'. It is important to note that although it is a petroleum derivative, purification processes ensure the absence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other toxic contaminants.
EFSA re-evaluated its safety in 2018, confirming no health risks at current exposure levels. However, some consumers may prefer to avoid it for reasons of non-natural origin or concerns about possible impurities, although studies have not demonstrated adverse effects.
In summary, microcrystalline wax is a safe and effective additive for specific uses in the food industry.
Microcrystalline wax (E905) is used in various food categories as a coating, glazing, and release agent.
In the Spanish market, it is commonly found on fresh fruits and vegetables (such as apples, pears, citrus fruits) to provide shine and delay moisture loss; in confectionery products (chewing gum, hard candies, chocolates) to prevent sticking; in dietary supplements as a capsule sealant; and on some cheeses and sausages to protect the surface.
Authorized limits according to EC Regulation 1333/2008 vary by category: for example, in fresh fruits and vegetables up to 0.5 g/kg, in chewing gum up to 20 g/kg, and in food supplements up to 0.5 g/kg. Compared to the FDA, which allows its use in foods in amounts sufficient to achieve the desired effect (good manufacturing practices), the EU is more restrictive and sets specific limits. In Japan, microcrystalline wax is approved as a food additive with limits similar to those in the EU. It is important to note that its use is prohibited in certified organic foods in the EU.
In general, it is used in products where a protective or shiny layer is required, and its consumption is low because it is applied in minimal amounts.
Toxicological studies on microcrystalline wax (E905) have not documented significant adverse effects in humans at authorized exposure levels. EFSA, in its 2018 re-evaluation, concluded that there are no safety concerns for the general population, including children, provided that established limits are respected.
The biological mechanism of microcrystalline wax is mainly physical: when ingested, it is not absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and is excreted unchanged in feces. No genotoxic, carcinogenic, or reproductive effects have been identified in animal studies. Sensitive populations, such as people with allergies or sensitivities, have not shown specific adverse reactions, although theoretically there could be a risk of contamination with PAHs if the purification process is deficient, but current standards guarantee their absence.
No interactions with medications are known. WHO also considers that there is no evidence of harmful effects. In cases of extremely high consumption (well above the ADI), a laxative effect could occur due to the oily nature, but this is not relevant in practice.
In conclusion, microcrystalline wax is safe in authorized uses, and no adverse side effects have been reported in the scientific literature.
- Microcrystalline petroleum wax
- Petroleum microcrystalline wax
- Hydrocarbon wax
- Microcrystalline paraffin wax
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