E-numbers / Other additives / E914
also: Oxidized polyethylene wax · Polyethylene wax, oxidised
A petroleum-derived wax applied as a thin coating to the skin of certain fruits to reduce moisture loss and give a polished appearance in shops.
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Oxidised polyethylene wax is produced by oxidising polyethylene, a synthetic polymer derived from petroleum.
Oxidised polyethylene wax is produced by oxidising polyethylene, a synthetic polymer derived from petroleum. The oxidation process introduces oxygen-containing groups into the polymer chain, producing a hard, white wax with a higher melting point than unoxidised polyethylene. It is one of several waxes permitted for surface-treating fresh fruit.
Applied as an ultra-thin film to fruit skin, it acts as a barrier that slows water evaporation, helping fruit stay firm and fresh-looking for longer after harvest. It also gives fruit a shinier, more uniform appearance on the supermarket shelf. The wax sits on the outer surface and does not penetrate the flesh.
Used on the surface of fresh fruit including citrus (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits), apples, pears, peaches, mangoes, avocados, kiwi fruit, pineapples and melons. It is not used inside food and does not appear in processed products. On a label it appears as 'E914', 'oxidised polyethylene wax', or within a general declaration such as 'wax coating (E914)' on pre-packed fresh fruit.
The European Food Safety Authority reviewed all available toxicological data on E914 in 2015. The panel found no evidence of significant absorption from the gut, no genotoxicity concerns, and no adverse effects at the dose levels tested in animals. On the basis of the data reviewed, EFSA concluded there was no need to set a numerical acceptable daily intake and raised no safety concern at the permitted level of use.
EFSA's Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources re-evaluated oxidised polyethylene wax (E914) and found no safety concern at the quantum satis level of use for surface treatment of fruit; no numerical ADI was considered necessary.
Because E914 is applied only to the outer skin of fruit, the amount a person actually ingests is very small: only what is consumed when eating the skin, and polyethylene wax is poorly absorbed from the gut. EFSA's 2015 opinion noted that dietary exposure was low and that systemic absorption was not considered a concern.
Dietary exposure to E914 from surface-treated fruit is low, and polyethylene-based waxes show minimal gastrointestinal absorption in animal studies.
EFSA's 2015 opinion identified some gaps in the submitted data, including the absence of a chronic toxicity or carcinogenicity study conducted to modern standards. The panel did not consider this a safety signal given the low exposure, but noted these gaps should be addressed if use patterns changed materially.
EFSA identified missing chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity data to modern standards in the 2015 re-evaluation, though the panel did not conclude this constituted a health concern at current use levels.
No specific population group needs to avoid E914 on health grounds. People who prefer to avoid petroleum-derived coatings on fruit can wash or peel the fruit before eating. Look for 'E914' or 'oxidised polyethylene wax' in the ingredients or on-pack wax declarations.
E914 is a well-established surface wax used for decades in fresh fruit supply chains. The EFSA re-evaluation in 2015 reviewed the available toxicology and found no concern at the amounts used. The main data gaps (long-term animal studies to modern protocol) were noted but not treated as a red flag given how little of the wax is ingested. There is no meaningful body of independent research pointing to a health signal at real-world exposure. The more common question shoppers raise is environmental and origin: it is petroleum-derived, which matters to people avoiding fossil-based materials, but that is a values question rather than a toxicology one.
No. E914 is on the UK FSA approved-additives list and is permitted under assimilated EU Regulation 1333/2008 for surface treatment of certain fresh fruits.
No. Fruit produces its own natural wax bloom, which is often washed off during commercial handling and packing. E914 and other permitted waxes (such as E903 carnauba wax and E901 beeswax) are then applied to replace that lost layer. E914 is synthetic and petroleum-derived, unlike carnauba (plant-based) or beeswax (animal-derived).
Only fresh whole fruit surfaces, including citrus fruits, apples, pears, peaches, melons, avocados, mangoes, pineapples and kiwi fruit. It is not used inside food products or in processed foods.
Yes. Oxidised polyethylene wax is synthetic and contains no animal-derived ingredients, so it is suitable for vegans. Note that other fruit waxes such as E901 (beeswax) are not vegan.
Last reviewed: 20 June 2026
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