Is Plant and mineral glazing waxes (carnauba, candelilla, microcrystalline, polyethylene) Halal?
Yes — this one is Halal.
Halal
High confidence About this ruling
About this ruling
- Evidence confidence
- High means this page cites a primary regulator listing and a named Halal certifier listing, retrieved 16 August 2026. That describes the quality of the sources on this page—not a Halal certificate for the pack or outlet in your hand.
Carnauba is a palm-leaf wax; candelilla is a shrub wax; E905/E907/E914 are petroleum or synthetic glazing waxes.
Evidence at a glance
Named sources used for this page. Open the full Sources block for notes and citation numbers.
| Source | Type | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA — Re-evaluation of carnauba wax (E903) and candelilla wax (E902) European Food Safety Authority | Regulatory / labelling | |
| 21 CFR § 184.1978 carnauba wax U.S. eCFR | Regulatory / labelling | |
| Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives European Union | Regulatory / labelling | |
| European Commission — Food additives European Commission | Regulatory / labelling | |
| Codex GSFA online FAO / WHO Codex | Regulatory / labelling | |
| SANHA — E-numbers SANHA | Certifier / jurisdiction | |
| U.S. FDA — Food additives U.S. Food and Drug Administration | Regulatory / labelling |
Additive identity
Possible source pathways
The finished molecule can be identical across feedstocks. The Halal ruling follows the pathway, not the code alone.
- plant · Typical Halal Botanical identity. No animal tissue is required for standard food grade.
Why this ruling
Candelilla (E902), carnauba (E903), microcrystalline wax (E905), hydrogenated poly-1-decene (E907), and oxidised polyethylene wax (E914) are Halal glazing waxes.[3][5]
They are what a shopper wants instead of shellac when the programme refuses insects.
Where you'll find it
- Candy and fruit glaze
- Chocolate panning
How to verify
1) Match E902, E903, E905, E907, E914, carnauba, or candelilla. 2) Halal. 3) Confectioners' glaze may still be shellac—read the name.
- Plant/mineral waxes → Halal.
- Not shellac.
- Not beeswax.
Conditions for Halal
- E902/E903/E905/E907/E914 → Halal plant or mineral wax
- Beeswax, shellac, lanolin are separate pages
- Unspecified 'confectioners glaze' may still be shellac
Scholarly differences
Carnauba is the Halal-certified chocolate glaze most programmes prefer when shellac is refused. It is not an insect secretion.
Frequently asked questions
Is carnauba wax Halal?
Is it the same as shellac?
Sources
Named Islamic, certifier, manufacturer, and regulatory sources used on this page. Inline markers like [1] jump here. Retrieval dates show when we last checked the live URL. Editorial methodology.
Certifier / jurisdiction
Regulatory / labelling
-
EFSA — Re-evaluation of carnauba wax (E903) and candelilla wax (E902)
European Food Safety Authority
Substance identity—not a Halal certificate for a finished pack.
Retrieved:
-
21 CFR § 184.1978 carnauba wax
U.S. eCFR
U.S. identity / GRAS or colour-additive listing—not a Halal ruling.
Retrieved:
-
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives
European Union
Union-list identity—not a Halal certificate.
Retrieved:
-
-
-
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
US identity / labelling context—not a Halal ruling.
Retrieved:
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