Food Additive · EU 903
Carnauba Wax
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Carnauba Wax is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 4 out of 5 (Low Risk), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #26 of 417.
- #26 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Carnauba Wax is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #26 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (94th percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #26 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Carnauba Wax: 1,860 tracked U.S. products (common band, #26 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 1,860 · #26 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 903 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Food Additive | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 4 / 5 (Low Risk) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Carnauba Wax?
Carnauba Wax is a food additive (903) classified as food additive.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of carnauba wax -E 903- as a food additive
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a common OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (1,860 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 1,860
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carnauba Wax safe to consume?
Carnauba Wax scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (1,860 tracked products, #26 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Carnauba Wax used for in food?
Carnauba Wax shows up as Various processed foods in the Food Additive class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (1,860 products).
Where does Carnauba Wax sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #26 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Carnauba Wax?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Carnauba Wax: EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of carnauba wax -E 903- as a food additive. These findings inform its safety score of 4/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.