# Paraffin Wax

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**Safety rating:** SAFE
**CAS number:** 8002-74-2
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** yes
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Paraffin wax is a petroleum-derived waxy substance designated as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the FDA. It functions as a surface-finishing agent, masticatory substance, and texturizer in food products, commonly used to coat fruits, cheeses, and candies.

## Regulatory status

| Country | Status |
| --- | --- |
| United States | approved |
| European Union | not_evaluated |
| United Kingdom | approved |
| Canada | approved |
| Australia | approved |
| Japan | not_evaluated |
| South Korea | not_evaluated |
| Brazil | not_evaluated |
| China | not_evaluated |
| India | not_evaluated |

## Detailed analysis

## What is Paraffin Wax?

Paraffin wax (CAS Number 8002-74-2) is a colorless to white, odorless, tasteless waxy solid derived from crude oil refinement. It consists primarily of straight-chain alkane hydrocarbons with 20-40 carbon atoms. Food-grade paraffin wax is highly purified and distinguished from lower-quality industrial grades through rigorous processing and testing to ensure safety for direct food contact.

## Common Uses

In the food industry, paraffin wax serves multiple functional purposes:

**Surface Coating**: It is widely applied to the exterior of fruits (apples, citrus, melons) and cheeses to provide a protective barrier that extends shelf life, reduces moisture loss, and improves visual appearance. The wax coating is entirely edible and passes through the digestive system unchanged.

**Texture and Mouthfeel**: Paraffin wax functions as a texturizer in various confectionery products, including chewing gum and certain candies, where it provides the characteristic texture and elasticity consumers expect.

**Processing Aid**: During food manufacturing, paraffin wax can be used as a processing aid in various applications where its water-repellent properties prove beneficial.

**Masticatory Substance**: In chewing gum formulations, it provides the base structure that allows for extended chewing without dissolution.

## Safety Assessment

Paraffin wax has an extensive safety history in food applications. The FDA has classified it as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) for use in food, indicating that qualified experts recognize the substance as safe under the intended conditions of use.

The FDA database shows zero reported adverse events associated with paraffin wax consumption and zero product recalls attributed to this additive. This track record reflects decades of widespread use without documented safety incidents.

Paraffin wax is not absorbed by the human digestive system. When ingested, it passes through the gastrointestinal tract largely unchanged and is excreted intact. This non-bioavailable characteristic significantly reduces potential toxicological risk. Toxicological studies have demonstrated that paraffin wax does not accumulate in body tissues.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has similarly established safety assessments for paraffin wax in food applications, particularly for coatings on fresh produce and confectionery products.

## Regulatory Status

Paraffin wax is approved for food use in multiple major regulatory jurisdictions:

- **United States**: FDA GRAS status permits use as a direct food additive and indirect food additive in food contact materials
- **European Union**: Approved as a food additive (E905) under specific usage levels and conditions
- **Canada**: Permitted for use in food under the Food and Drugs Act
- **Australia/New Zealand**: Approved under food standards legislation

When paraffin wax is used as a surface coating on produce, consumers may optionally wash or peel the fruit to remove the wax if desired, though consumption of the wax coating presents no health concern.

## Key Studies

Long-term toxicological evaluations have examined paraffin wax's safety profile. Research confirms its non-toxic nature at food-use levels, with no demonstrated carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproductive toxicity. The substance's inability to be absorbed by the digestive system is well-established in scientific literature.

Historical safety data spanning multiple decades of food industry use, combined with modern toxicological assessments, supports the continued safety classification of food-grade paraffin wax in approved applications.

## Sources

- FDA Substances Added to Food (CFSAN)
- OpenFDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
- OpenFDA Food Recalls
- EFSA OpenFoodTox
- EU Food Additive Portal

## Citation

Additive Facts. "Paraffin Wax — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/paraffin-wax. Accessed 2026-05-16.