My diet:

E903 Carnauba Wax

E903Glazing agentsOrigin: Plant
Get a personal answer

Pick your family’s diets in the bar above.

Every diet

VeganYes

From palm leaves. It's the usual vegan alternative to shellac and beeswax.

Gluten-freeYes
HalalYes
KosherYes
KetoYes

Not digested, with no carbs.

Low-FODMAPYes
The short answer
Carnauba wax (E903) is a plant wax from Brazilian palm leaves that makes candy shiny. It's safe, vegan and fits every diet we check.
Generally safe

Fine for most people at normal amounts.

E-numberE903
Comes fromPlant
What it doesGlazing agents
Glycemic index—
Daily limit7 mg/kg
Also calledCarnauba wax, Brazil wax

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved
🇪🇺 European UnionApproved with limits
🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved
CaliforniaNo extra rules

GRAS in the US and approved in Canada. In the EU it's allowed only as a coating on candy, fruit, coffee beans and a few other foods. EFSA re-checked it in 2012 and saw no safety concern; JECFA's daily limit is 7 mg per kg of body weight.

How much is too much? (Acceptable Daily Intake)

490 mgper day is the safe upper limit

Based on 7 mg per kg of body weight (EFSA / JECFA). A 20 kg (44 lb) child: 140 mg a day.

What is it?

Carnauba is the hardest natural wax. A very thin layer gives candy a glossy shell, keeps pieces from sticking together and passes through the body undigested.

Where it comes from: Beaten off the dried leaves of the carnauba palm, which grows in northeastern Brazil, then melted, filtered and hardened into flakes.

Why it’s in food

  • Makes gummies and coated candy shiny
  • Stops candy pieces sticking together
  • Slows moisture loss in fresh fruit
  • Coats pills so they're easy to swallow

Often found in

Gummy candyCandy-coated chocolatesJelly beansWaxed apples and citrusCoated pills

Also listed as: Carnauba wax, Brazil wax, Palm wax, Copernicia cerifera wax

Health & gut impact

Safety reviewBenefit

Used in tiny amounts and barely absorbed. EFSA found no safety concern at reported uses.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2012)

What can I use instead?

Shellac

Ratio: Thin coat

Best for: Candy shine (not vegan)

Beeswax

Ratio: Thin coat

Best for: Candy and cheese coating (not vegan)

Candelilla wax

Ratio: Thin coat

Best for: Vegan coatings

Related

Carnauba Wax vs Shellac

More glazing agents:

Shellac (Confectioner's Glaze) E904Confectioner's glaze is shellac (E904), a resin made by lac insects. It's not vegan, and halal and kosher acceptance varies by certifier.Generally safe

Common questions

Is Carnauba Wax safe?

Generally safe (88/100). GRAS in the US and approved in Canada. In the EU it's allowed only as a coating on candy, fruit, coffee beans and a few other foods. EFSA re-checked it in 2012 and saw no safety concern; JECFA's daily limit is 7 mg per kg of body weight.

Is Carnauba Wax vegan?

Yes. From palm leaves. It's the usual vegan alternative to shellac and beeswax.

Is Carnauba Wax gluten-free?

Yes.

Is carnauba wax the same as car wax?

It's the same plant wax, but food-grade carnauba is purified to food standards. Car polishes add solvents and other ingredients you shouldn't eat.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • 21 CFR 184.1978 (US FDA)
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E903
  • EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2012)

Last checked against FDA, EFSA and Health Canada records: October 31, 2026 · INS 903 · CAS 8015-86-9