In today’s food industry, freshness, safety, and quality are non-negotiable. That’s where food-grade wax comes in. From the glossy apples in a supermarket display to the protective coatings on cheeses, food-grade wax quietly works behind the scenes to preserve the quality of your products, extend the shelf life, and meet strict safety standards.

What is Food-Grade Wax?

Food grade wax is a specialized coating used on fresh produce, cheese, candies, and other consumables to lock in freshness, prevent moisture loss, and enhance appearance. 

The two most common types of wax used for food coatings and applications are paraffin wax and carnauba wax. 

Extend Shelf Life & Freshness

Profitability for food-based businesses is directly tied to waste reduction, food safety, and consumer satisfaction. Even a small improvement in shelf life can mean fewer losses, reduced waste, and stronger consumer trust. Food-grade wax can change the game by providing moisture retention and extra protection against spoilage and contamination. 

Wax coatings can extend the marketable life of produce and dairy products by days, weeks, or even months, depending on the application. When your supply chain spans across the countries or around the world, that could mean the difference between a premium, fresh product and a product that is inedible.

Moisture Retention

Fresh produce naturally loses water after you harvest it, which leads to shriveling, softening, and texture changes. A thin coating of food-grade wax can create a protective barrier over the surface of the fruit or vegetable to help to slow the evaporation process. 

For example, apples and cucumbers treated with wax remain plump and juicy much longer than unwaxed produce, helping them to stay fresher during processing, transportation, and ongoing retail.

Reduced Respiration Rate

Fruits and vegetables will continue to “breathe” after harvest, releasing carbon dioxide and using oxygen in a process called respiration. The respiration process can speed up ripening and spoilage. Wax coatings help slow those respiration rates so the produce maintains its freshness longer.

Protection Against Spoilage & Contaminants

Food-grade wax provides a much-needed shield against bacteria, mold spores, and other contaminants that can enter through microscopic pores or surface imperfections in the food. For cheese, a wax coating protects the product from mold growth and helps lock in the desired flavor profile as the cheese ages.

Safety You Can Trust

To ensure food safety, food-grade waxes are subject to strict regulations and oversight. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets the standards for food-safe wax. 

These certifications ensure that when you’re using wax to protect or seal your food, you can trust that it meets rigorous health, safety, and quality benchmarks for you and your customers.

Here at Blended Waxes, our food-grade waxes are FDA-certified for direct contact with food and comply with 21 CFR 178.3710 and 21 CFR 172.886. 

• 21 CFR 178.3710 outlines regulations for components of waxes, like petroleum, that may come into contact with food.
• 21 CFR 172.886 highlights in depth how much of certain materials are safe for consumption when used as intended in or on food.

How Do Food-Grade Waxes From Blended Waxes Stand Out?

While all food grade waxes must comply with the same strict standards, Blended Waxes strives for consistency, quality, and trust in every area of our business. 

Rather than focusing on being “different” from competitors, we focus on being dependable, compliant, and supportive. These are the qualities food manufacturers count on when making decisions that affect consumer health and product quality.

We offer:

• FDA Certification: Our food-safe wax is verified to meet FDA guidelines for food safety, so you can feel confident using it for your food products.
• Bulk Supply Reliability: We specialize in bulk wax solutions, ensuring food businesses and manufacturers have a dependable supply chain. 
• Expertise: With almost 50 years in the industry, we know a thing or two about wax. Our expert team can help you find the right wax blend for specific food applications, including produce, dairy, and confections. 

Our food-grade wax products for food coatings include:

• Cheese Wax

• Duck Wax

Want to learn more about how we’re supporting customers in the food industry? Contact our team.