E-numbers / Other additives / E907
also: PAO (food grade) · Polydecene hydrogenated
A synthetic wax-like coating used to give sweets, fruits and tablets a shiny surface and stop them sticking together.
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Hydrogenated poly-1-decene is a synthetic polymer made by linking together molecules of 1-decene (a ten-carbon hydrocarbon) and then hydrogenating the result to produce a colourless, waxy solid.
Hydrogenated poly-1-decene is a synthetic polymer made by linking together molecules of 1-decene (a ten-carbon hydrocarbon) and then hydrogenating the result to produce a colourless, waxy solid. It is not derived from animal or mineral sources. Its chemical nature is closely related to the mineral waxes used industrially, but it is manufactured to a food-grade purity specification.
It acts primarily as a glazing agent: a thin surface coat that creates a shiny, protective film on food. It also functions as a release agent and anti-caking additive, preventing food particles from clumping together and stopping coated products from sticking to machinery or packaging. The waxy film is insoluble in water, so it also helps slow moisture loss from the surface of fresh fruit.
Most commonly found on coated confectionery such as sugar-panned sweets, chocolate lentils and similar glazed sweets. It may also appear on the surface of fresh citrus fruit, apples and other produce as a coating applied after harvest to extend shelf life. It can be used on food supplements and some medicated confectionery. On a UK ingredient label it appears as 'glazing agent (E907)' or simply 'E907'.
The EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings completed a re-evaluation of E907 in 2020. Animal and human studies are very limited. No long-term carcinogenicity or reproductive/developmental toxicity studies exist specifically for this substance. The Panel set a provisional acceptable daily intake of 20 mg/kg body weight per day, derived from a subchronic (90-day) rat study, with an uncertainty factor applied to cover the missing long-term data. This is a recognised data gap, not a finding of harm.
EFSA established a provisional ADI of 20 mg/kg body weight per day based on a NOAEL from a 90-day rat study, noting the absence of long-term carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity data as a data gap.
Estimated dietary exposure from authorised uses ranged from no exposure in infants to approximately 2.35 mg/kg body weight per day in toddlers, well below the provisional ADI.
In available studies, hydrogenated poly-1-decene showed low acute toxicity and did not raise concern for genotoxicity.
EFSA's approach when carcinogenicity and reproductive studies are absent is to apply a larger uncertainty factor to the available short-term data and set the ADI accordingly. This is standard regulatory practice when a substance has a long history of low-level use and no signals of harm in the available data. The data gap is a record-keeping limitation rather than an identified risk at current food use levels.
The Panel applied an uncertainty factor of 200 (a standard 100-fold inter- and intra-species factor plus a further 2-fold for the incomplete toxicological database) to derive the provisional ADI.
No specific population group is identified as needing to avoid E907. It is not an allergen and carries no mandatory warning label. Vegans and vegetarians should note it is synthetically derived and not of animal origin, so it does not conflict with plant-based diets. Look for 'E907' or 'glazing agent (E907)' on the label.
E907 is a niche glazing additive used in small quantities on surfaces of confectionery and fruit. The science base is thin by modern standards, which is why EFSA's 2020 re-evaluation ended with a provisional rather than a full ADI. That limitation reflects the small body of published studies, not any signal of harm found in those that exist. Actual dietary exposure measured in the evaluation was far below even the conservative provisional limit. The outstanding need is for the industry to supply the missing long-term animal studies. Until those are submitted and reviewed, the regulatory position remains provisional.
No. E907 remains an approved food additive in the UK under the retained EU food additive regulations. It is permitted as a glazing agent on certain fruits, coated confectionery and food supplements.
The 2020 EFSA re-evaluation found that long-term carcinogenicity studies and reproductive and developmental toxicity studies had not been conducted for this specific substance. Rather than no limit at all, EFSA set a conservative provisional ADI of 20 mg/kg body weight per day based on the available short-term rat data, with an extra safety margin built in for the missing studies. Estimated real-world exposure from food uses is well below that figure.
Glazed and sugar-panned sweets, chocolate lentils, some coated chocolates, and fresh citrus fruit, apples and other produce that have been surface-treated after harvest. It is also used on some tablet-form food supplements.
Yes. Hydrogenated poly-1-decene is a fully synthetic polymer with no animal-derived ingredients. It is suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets.
Last reviewed: 20 June 2026
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