E901 Beeswax

E901Glazing agentsOrigin: Animal

Get a personal answer

Pick your family’s diets in the bar above.

Every diet

VeganNo

Made by bees. Most vegans avoid it, as they do honey.

Gluten-freeYes

HalalYes

Bee products are halal.

KosherYes

Kosher, like honey, even though bees are not.

Full answer ›

KetoYes

Low-FODMAPYes

The short answer

Beeswax (E901) gives jelly beans, gummies and some fruit their shine. It's safe, halal and kosher, but it isn't vegan.

90/100

Generally safe

Fine for most people at normal amounts.

E-numberE901

Comes fromAnimal

What it doesGlazing agents

Glycemic index—

Daily limitNot set

Also calledBeeswax, Bees wax

Want candy without beeswax?

Plant-based picks

Vegan treats

Vegan gummies and jelly beans

Glazed with carnauba wax instead of beeswax or shellac.

Shop vegan gummies Opens your country’s Amazon store

Plant-based swap

Food-grade candelilla wax

A plant wax for vegan lip balms and candy polishing.

Shop candelilla wax Opens your country’s Amazon store

Vegan staple

Vegan food wraps

Plant-wax wraps instead of beeswax wraps.

Shop vegan food wraps Opens your country’s Amazon store

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Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved

🇪🇺 European UnionApproved

🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved

CaliforniaNo extra rules

Approved everywhere as a glazing agent with no daily limit. EFSA reviewed it in 2007 and found no safety concern at current uses.

Daily limit: Experts haven’t set a number because normal food amounts are far below any level of concern.

What is it?

Beeswax is a natural wax that forms a thin, glossy, moisture-proof coat. Candy makers tumble sweets with it to stop them sticking together, and it's used on some fresh fruit and cheese rinds.

Where it comes from: Made by honeybees to build their combs, then melted and filtered by beekeepers.

Why it’s in food

Makes gummies and jelly beans shiny and non-sticky
Coats some fresh fruit to hold in moisture
Seals some cheese rinds
Carries colors and flavors in candy coatings

Often found in

Jelly beans and gummiesChewy candyCoated chocolateSome apples and citrusChewing gumCheese coatings

Also listed as: Beeswax, Bees wax, White beeswax, Yellow beeswax, Cera alba, Cera flava

Health & gut impact

Safety reviewBenefit

EFSA found no safety concern at the amounts used to glaze food. It passes through the body undigested.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2007)

What can I use instead?

Carnauba wax

Ratio: To label

Best for: Vegan candy glaze

Candelilla wax

Ratio: To label

Best for: Gum and candy

Is it kosher?

More glazing agents:

Carnauba Wax E903Carnauba 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 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 Beeswax safe?

Generally safe (90/100). Approved everywhere as a glazing agent with no daily limit. EFSA reviewed it in 2007 and found no safety concern at current uses.

Is Beeswax vegan?

No. Made by bees. Most vegans avoid it, as they do honey.

Is Beeswax gluten-free?

Yes.

Why are gummy bears coated in beeswax?

A thin wax layer keeps them shiny and stops them sticking together in the bag.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations

21 CFR 184.1973 (US FDA)
EFSA OpenFoodTox: E901
EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2007)

Last checked against FDA, EFSA and Health Canada records: November 1, 2026 · INS 901 · CAS 8012-89-3