Foods Containing E901 (Beeswax)
E901 (Beeswax) is beeswax — used to glaze sweets and fruit. Not vegan (it's made by bees), but halal according to most Islamic schools. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E901
E901 is used across sweets, chocolate, chewing gum, fresh fruit coatings and baked goods. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Jelly beans and glazed sweets
- Fruit coatings (apples, citrus)
- Chewing gum
- Chocolate coatings
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E901 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E901" or as "Beeswax".
How to spot E901 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "glazing agents and waxes: E901" or "glazing agents and waxes: beeswax". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Beeswax" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E901?
E901 is considered safe. It is authorised across the EU, UK and US, and safety evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have not identified health concerns at the levels used in food. For most people there is no reason to avoid E901.
Full guide to E901: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).