Is E903 (Carnauba wax) Halal?
Generally halal
E903 (Carnauba wax) is obtained from the leaves of the carnauba palm — a plant source — so it is generally considered halal.
What is E903?
Carnauba wax is a hard plant wax obtained from the leaves of the Brazilian carnauba palm. It is used as a glazing agent to give a shine and protective coat to sweets, chocolates, coated tablets and some fruits.
Collected from dried carnauba palm leaves, then refined into wax. No animal-derived material.
Why is it generally halal?
Carnauba wax is a plant wax with no animal-derived material, so it is generally classified as halal — and it is a common plant-based glazing alternative to shellac. As always, the finished product still needs its own verification.
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
Carnauba waxBrazil waxE903Glazing agent (E903)INS number: 903
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 E903 (carnauba wax) halal?
Yes — it is a plant wax from the carnauba palm with no animal-derived material, so it is generally considered halal. It is a common plant-based alternative to shellac.
Is carnauba wax from animals?
No. It is obtained from the leaves of the carnauba palm.
What names should I look for?
'Carnauba wax', 'Brazil wax' or 'E903'.
Related ingredients
Sources & methodology
- Carnauba wax (E 903) — food additive information — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · Plant (palm) origin
- 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.