Synthetic wax (E905)

What it is and why it counts

Microcrystalline wax is a petroleum-derived wax used as a glazing agent.

Cosmetic additives

NOVA calls these additives "cosmetic": they change how a product looks, feels or tastes rather than keeping it safe to eat. Their presence is one of the two defining signs of an ultra-processed food.

More about synthetic wax (E905) on Wikidata

Where it turns up

Synthetic wax (E905) appears in 13 of the 40,000 products on this site (0%).

• Candies 7 of 486 products
• Breads 1 of 2,388 products
• Chewing gums 1 of 47 products
• Confectioneries 1 of 1,731 products
• Gummi candies 1 of 119 products
• Hard candies 1 of 15 products

Products containing synthetic wax (E905)

• Mini-Mini Chicles Gerrit NOVA group 4
• Swedish Fish Swedish Fish · 3.1 OZ NOVA group 4
• Gummies Life Savers · 7oz NOVA group 4
• Twizzlers Strawberry Twists Twizzlers · 5 oz (141 g) NOVA group 4
• Calcium Supplements - Kirkland Kirkland Costco NOVA group 4
• Swedish Fish mini Swedish Fish · 12 oz NOVA group 4
• Jolly Rancher Hard candy Jolly Rancher · 14 oz NOVA group 4
• Starburst Jellybeans Original Starburst · 14 oz NOVA group 4
• Potato bread Old Tyme · 22 oz NOVA group 4
• Jolly Rancher Candy Jolly Rancher · 7 oz NOVA group 4
• Mini soft & chewy candy family size bag Swedish Fish NOVA group 4
• Bonbons Durs Assortis NOVA group 4
• Gummies flavors candy Lifesavers NOVA group 4