Tag: Beeswax safety

In many countries, beeswax is considered a food-grade ingredient, but due to its chemical composition of long-chain esters and alcohols, it is not broken down by the human digestive system. So, is the wax in honeycomb digestible? The short answer is no, but it is still safe to consume in moderation.

Over 70% of beeswax consists of fatty acid esters and various long-chain alcohols, a chemical composition that our bodies are not equipped to break down. This inherent indigestibility is the core reason that, despite being non-toxic and edible in small amounts, beeswax is not a source of nutrition for humans.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognizes beeswax as generally safe for consumption as a food additive (GRAS). However, many still question the safety of consuming its refined, white variant: can you eat white beeswax? The answer is nuanced and depends heavily on the wax's purity and source.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes food-grade beeswax as generally safe for consumption in small amounts. When you ingest beeswax, it is largely indigestible by the human body, meaning it passes through your system mostly intact, rather than being broken down and absorbed for nutrition.