E903 — Carnauba wax
E903 (Carnauba wax), a glazing agent, is rated "watch": fine in moderation. A hard plant wax from Brazilian palm leaves. The shiny coating on chocolate-covered candy, citrus fruit, and gummies.
What is Carnauba wax?
A very hard plant wax from the leaves of the Brazilian carnauba palm. Used to glaze chocolate-covered candies, gummy bears, citrus fruits, and confectionery beads. Also used in car polish for the same shine reason.
What does it do to the body?
Passes through your gut unabsorbed. Vegan-friendly. No realistic safety concern.
What regulators say
EFSA confirmed safety in 2012 with an acceptable daily intake of 7 mg per kg of body weight per day. The FDA approves it as GRAS.
Risk rating: Watch
Mixed evidence or a specific concern (gut, allergy, or contested safety data). Not alarming, but worth keeping an eye on rather than eating without limit.