If you’ve gone to the grocery store or local market looking for juicy apples, you’ve likely noticed a thin wax coating on the fruit.

Apples naturally produce a waxy coating to protect against moisture loss. In some cases, this natural wax is supplemented with food-grade waxes, such as carnauba wax, to preserve freshness after washing. 

These waxes are considered safe for consumption and are commonly used on produce.

View Our Food Wax Options

Why Is There Wax on Apples?

Apples naturally produce a thin waxy coating that helps protect the fruit from moisture loss and environmental damage as it grows. After harvesting, apples are washed to remove dirt and debris, which can also remove some of this natural wax. To restore that protective layer and keep apples fresh during storage and transport, a small amount of food-grade wax is sometimes applied.

Is the Wax on Apples Safe to Eat?

Yes, the wax on apples is safe to eat. Both the apple’s natural wax and food-grade waxes applied after harvesting are used in very small amounts and are approved for food use. These waxes help preserve freshness and do not make apples unsafe for people or animals to consume.

Is the Wax on Apples Natural?

Many people aren’t aware that apples produce their own natural wax coating. The natural apple wax is sometimes called bloom, and you can identify it by looking for a thin white layer around the fruit.

Natural apple wax acts like a protective barrier or coating, preserving the fruit as it grows. When farmers harvest apples, they’ll wash them to remove any dirt or debris before packaging, which removes the wax layer.

Apples are just one of several types of fruits that make their own wax. Pears and plums also produce a natural wax coating. The coating contains up to 50 compounds, many of which are esters.

Of the wax’s compounds are triterpenoids, such as ursolic acid. Ursolic acid inhibits aromatase, which can in turn help limit the production of estradiol, a type of estrogen that can lead to cancer. While the level of ursolic acid found in the skin of apples is probably not high enough to have a significant health benefit, it also doesn’t hurt.

Benefits of Natural Apple Wax

The wax that naturally forms on apples protects the fruit when it’s on the tree and just after harvest. Some of the benefits of natural apple wax include:

• Moisture retention: Think of biting into an apple. You want it to be crisp and juicy. The apple’s skin helps trap the moisture in the cells of its flesh, and the wax on the skin offers an additional layer of protection. Without the wax, the apple will quickly dry out, becoming shriveled and unpalatable.
• Enhanced firmness: Natural apple wax keeps apples from shriveling up and losing all of their nutrients. Without the skin or wax, apples wouldn’t be crisp or firm how we like them.
• Mold growth inhibition: The natural wax coating also keeps mold from growing on the apple’s surface. Mold can be dangerous when consumed, and it can also kill the fruit. The natural apple wax keeps the fruit safe until it’s ready for harvest.
• Ripening delay: When a wax coating surrounds apples, the ripening and decay process slows. The apple is exposed to less outside air, so it doesn’t start to break down as soon. Protected by the wax, the apple can thrive on the tree and can continue to ripen after picking. This wax also allows apples to make it to the grocery store once picked, ensuring they’re of the highest quality for consumers.
• Bacterial protection: Just as the wax keeps mold from growing, it also protects the fruit from invasions by bacteria and other microorganisms. The microbes can’t penetrate the apple’s surface thanks to the wax. Without a waxy barrier, microorganisms could enter the fruit, which could damage the apple or make you sick when you bring it home to eat. The natural wax prevents this from happening, ensuring that apples live longer and are healthy for human consumption.

Why Companies Add Wax to Apples

The natural wax coating on apples does an excellent job of protecting the fruit, but it washes away easily after harvesting. Fruit producers typically wash the apples after picking them to remove any dust or debris, and the washing process also wipes away the wax. To extend the fruit’s life and to keep them looking shiny and attractive on supermarket shelves, many food producers recoat the fruits with a food-grade wax.

The food-grade wax used to coat apples, as well as other fruits and vegetables, is typically a type of emulsion made with carnauba wax. Other types of wax that might be used include shellac or beeswax.

The carnauba wax gives apples a shiny appearance and is indigestible by humans and would simply pass through your system untouched, similar to the way chewing gum would if accidentally swallowed.

Once applied to the apples, the wax provides similar benefits as natural wax. It keeps the fruits from ripening too quickly, protects against bacteria and mold, and protects the fruit from damage. Added wax can also enhance the apples’ appearance. Just think of how shiny and appealing most fruits look when lined up in the produce aisle.

Why Wax Is Important

Fruits like apples predominantly consist of water, and without a protective barrier, they’ll lose all their moisture through respiration and transpiration. Thankfully, apples have natural protection against moisture loss. As they grow, they’ll naturally produce their own waxy coating, sealing the space around them and preventing moisture from slipping out.

When apples are harvested, they’re washed to remove dirt and debris. This causes them to lose their natural wax barrier, meaning they’ll start losing their moisture and shrivel up quickly. To remedy this, fruit packers will apply a food-grade wax to sustain apples’ shelf life, allowing them to make it to markets and grocery stores so consumers can bring them home.

Fruit coatings also prevent various microorganisms from entering the fruit, keeping consumers safe from potentially harmful germs that could get them sick. While there are a lot of myths and misconceptions that apple wax is detrimental to your health, there’s no evidence to suggest this is the truth. Instead, natural apple wax and the food-grade wax applied later are meant to keep you safe and prevent apples from drying out before they make it to your local grocery store.

Apples don’t require a lot of wax to sustain their life span. In fact, one or two drops of wax are all it takes to coat a single apple. One pound of wax can cover over 100,000 apples. A little can go a long way to protect your apples.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wax on Apples

Is the wax on apples bad for you?

No. Apples naturally produce a waxy coating to protect themselves as they grow. After harvesting and washing, this natural wax may be partially removed, so a thin layer of food-grade wax is sometimes applied. These waxes, including carnauba wax, are considered safe to eat in the small amounts used on produce.

What is the wax on apples made of?

The wax on apples can be either the apple’s natural wax, known as the cuticle, or a food-grade wax added after cleaning. Common food-grade waxes include carnauba wax and shellac, which help reduce moisture loss and keep apples fresh during storage and transport.

Why are apples waxed after harvesting?

Apples are washed after harvesting to remove dirt and debris, which can strip away their natural wax. Applying a food-grade wax coating helps replace that protective layer, slowing dehydration and extending shelf life without compromising the fruit’s safety.

Is carnauba wax on apples safe to eat?

Yes. Carnauba wax is a plant-based, food-grade wax commonly used on fruits and vegetables. It is approved for food use and is safe to consume in the small quantities applied to apples.

Can you remove wax from apples?

If desired, surface wax can be reduced by rinsing apples under warm water and gently rubbing the skin with your hands or a produce brush. Removing the wax is a personal preference and is not necessary for food safety.

Find Food-Grade Wax With Blended Waxes, Inc.

Need wax for food applications like cheese or fruit coatings? Blended Waxes offers high-quality food-grade wax in bulk, made to meet industry standards. Browse our wax products or learn more about how food-grade wax is used in food processing.