Petrolatum (E905B): What It Is and Is It Safe?
Petrolatum is a semi-solid mixture of saturated mineral hydrocarbons (MOSH) refined from petroleum, used as a glazing, release and moisture-barrier coating. As with other mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons, EFSA notes that MOSH can accumulate in human tissue, particularly the liver. The aromatic MOAH fraction that can accompany insufficiently refined material raises genotoxicity concerns, so food-grade white petrolatum must meet purity limits that restrict aromatic content.
- Category
- Glazing Agent — Mineral hydrocarbon (MOSH)
- Typically used in
- Glazing, release and coating agent for confectionery.
- Regulatory status
- Permitted in the EU/UK only as food-grade white petrolatum for limited uses under purity specifications; mineral-hydrocarbon accumulation under EFSA review.
- Also listed as
- Petroleum Jelly
- Concerns flagged
-
Accumulates in the bodyLiver effects
Scrannr flags Petrolatum automatically when you scan a barcode.
Where this comes from
- EFSA (2012) — Scientific Opinion on Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons in Food https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2704
- EFSA (2023) — Update of the risk assessment of mineral oil hydrocarbons in food https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/plain-language-summary/update-risk-assessment-mineral-oil-hydrocarbons-moh-food
Products containing Petrolatum
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