Oxidised polyethylene wax
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.
What is it?
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.
What does it do?
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.
Where you will see it
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.
What the science says
EFSA re-evaluation (2015)
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.
Exposure and absorption
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.
Data gaps noted by EFSA
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.
Where it stands with the regulators
Who should be careful
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.
The honest read
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.
Related additives
Common questions
Is E914 banned in the UK?
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.
Is E914 the same as the natural wax on fruit?
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).
What foods contain E914?
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.
Is E914 vegan?
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.
Sources
- EFSA ANS Panel: Re-evaluation of oxidised polyethylene wax (E 914) as a food additive, EFSA Journal 2015
- UK FSA: Approved additives and E numbers
- UK FSA regulated products register: E-914
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012: specifications for E914
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