Food Additive · EU 905a
Mineral Oil
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Mineral Oil 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 #91 of 417.
- #91 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Mineral Oil is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #91 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (78th percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #91 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Mineral Oil: 305 tracked U.S. products (common band, #91 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 305 · #91 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 905a | 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 Mineral Oil?
Mineral Oil is a food additive (905a) classified as food additive.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of microcrystalline wax -E 905- as a food additive.
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a common OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (305 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 305
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mineral Oil safe to consume?
Mineral Oil scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (305 tracked products, #91 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Mineral Oil used for in food?
Mineral Oil shows up as Various processed foods in the Food Additive class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (305 products).
Where does Mineral Oil sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #91 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Mineral Oil?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Mineral Oil: EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of microcrystalline wax -E 905- 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.