Is E901 (Beeswax) Halal?
Generally halal
E901 (Beeswax) is a wax produced by honeybees; it is generally considered permissible, like honey, so it is treated as halal.
What is E901?
Beeswax is a natural wax made by honeybees to build their honeycomb. As a food additive it is used as a glazing agent to give a shine to sweets and coated products, and to wax some fruits.
Collected from honeycomb, melted, filtered and purified into white or yellow beeswax. It is a bee product, like honey.
Why is it generally halal?
Beeswax is a product of the honeybee, and the majority view treats bee products such as honey and beeswax as permissible. It is therefore generally classified as halal. As always, the finished product still needs its own verification, and a beeswax glaze may sometimes be applied using a carrier that should be checked.
Commonly found in
It may be found in — this does not mean every product below contains it.
- Glazes on sweets and chocolates
- Coated tablets and supplements
- Wax coatings on fruit
- Chewing gum
How it appears on labels
BeeswaxWhite beeswaxYellow beeswaxE901Glazing agent (E901)INS number: 901
How to verify a product in Singapore
- Ingredient-level guidance is not halal certification — check the complete product, not just this ingredient.
- Look for recognised halal certification, and check the finished product on the official MUIS HalalSG register.
- When the source or processing aids are unclear, contact the manufacturer.
Ingredient guidance is not certification. Verify the finished product on the MUIS HalalSG register or with the manufacturer.
Check MUIS HalalSGSources: EFSA, FAO/WHO, MUIS · Last reviewed: July 2026 · This guidance is not certification.
Frequently asked questions
Is E901 (beeswax) halal?
Yes — beeswax is a bee product and, like honey, is generally treated as permissible, so it is considered halal. The finished product still needs verification.
Is beeswax an animal product?
It is produced by honeybees. The majority view treats bee products such as honey and beeswax as permissible.
What names should I look for?
'Beeswax', 'White/Yellow beeswax', 'Cera alba' or 'E901'.
Related ingredients
Sources & methodology
- Beeswax (E 901) — food additive information — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · Bee-product origin and use as a glaze
- General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) Online Database — Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) · Approved uses and INS number
- Halal Certification — HalalSG — Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) · Singapore halal verification process
Humble Halal methodology: we classify additives by their common origin, not by any specific product. A generally-halal ingredient does not make a finished product halal-certified. This page is general guidance, not certification or religious/legal advice — always verify the complete product. Last reviewed July 2026.