Understanding What is the Coating They Put on Fruit for a Nutrition Diet

October 13, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that many fruits produce a natural protective wax layer that is often washed off after harvesting? To restore this natural defense and extend shelf life, producers apply a thin layer of edible, post-harvest fruit coatings. The question of what is the coating they put on fruit is more complex than a simple answer, involving various natural and synthetic compounds.

Quick Summary

A thin layer of edible wax or other materials is applied to many fruits and vegetables after harvesting to replace the natural wax removed during cleaning. This protective layer is used to reduce moisture loss, slow spoilage, and improve appearance for extended shelf life. The coatings are generally safe for consumption, but washing or peeling is always an option.

Key Points

Purpose: Coatings are applied to fruits after harvesting to prevent moisture loss, extend shelf life, and enhance appearance.
Variety of Materials: Coatings are made from various substances, including natural plant waxes (carnauba, candelilla), animal-derived products (shellac, beeswax), and other edible polymers like proteins and polysaccharides.
Food Safety: All commercially used edible coatings are approved as safe to eat by food safety agencies like the FDA, and are often given GRAS status.
Washing is Recommended: Even though the coatings are edible, washing produce under warm water with a brush or a baking soda solution is recommended to remove dirt, residual pesticides, and most of the coating.
Informed Choice: Consumers with dietary preferences, such as vegans, should be aware that some coatings like shellac are animal-derived, while others like carnauba wax are plant-based.
Not Just Wax: Besides traditional waxes, modern edible coatings can include proteins (like corn zein), polysaccharides (like alginate), or essential oils with antimicrobial properties to protect produce.

The Purpose of Post-Harvest Coatings

When fruits and vegetables are harvested, they are cleaned to remove dirt and soil, which often strips away their natural protective wax. This leaves the produce vulnerable to moisture loss, shriveling, and decay. To counteract this, producers apply a new, food-grade coating for several key reasons:

Extend Shelf Life: The primary purpose is to create a barrier that slows down respiration and reduces water vapor transmission. This delay in the ripening process and loss of moisture allows fruits to stay fresh for longer during transportation and storage.
Improve Appearance: The coatings restore the glossy, polished look that consumers often prefer, enhancing the fruit's visual appeal on supermarket shelves.
Enhance Food Safety: Some coatings are fortified with antimicrobial agents or fungicides to inhibit mold and bacterial growth, further protecting the produce from spoilage.
Protect During Transport: The thin layer helps protect the fruit from bruising and mechanical damage during handling and shipping.

Common Types of Edible Fruit Coatings

Edible coatings are made from a variety of natural and synthetic sources. These are approved by food safety authorities like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are generally recognized as safe (GRAS).

Natural and Plant-Based Waxes

Carnauba Wax: Sourced from the leaves of the Brazilian palm tree, this natural wax is highly hydrophobic, making it an excellent moisture barrier. It is widely used and recognized as a safe food additive.
Candelilla Wax: Derived from the candelilla plant, this wax also provides a protective barrier against moisture loss and contaminants. It is a vegan-friendly and sustainable option.
Beeswax: A natural wax produced by honeybees, beeswax is another common coating option for produce. It is often combined with other vegetable oils to improve its effectiveness.
Aloe Vera Gel: The gel from the aloe vera plant is an increasingly popular coating option due to its antimicrobial properties and effectiveness in stopping moisture loss.

Animal and Insect-Derived Coatings

Shellac: This resinous secretion from the female lac bug has been used for centuries. It provides a glossy sheen and a protective barrier, but it is not considered a vegan-friendly product.
Chitosan: This fibrous polysaccharide is derived from the shells of crustaceans, though some can be sourced from fungi. It is an effective antimicrobial agent and barrier against gas exchange.

Other Edible Coatings

Protein-Based Coatings: Materials derived from corn zein, soy, whey, or casein can also be used. These often have good gas barrier properties, but can be less effective at blocking moisture.
Polysaccharide-Based Coatings: Gums like alginate, starch, and cellulose derivatives create effective barriers against oxygen and gas transfer, but often require additional components to improve their moisture resistance.
Petroleum-Based Waxes: Food-grade paraffin wax, derived from the petroleum industry, is also used. It is generally recognized as safe for consumption.

Are Commercial Fruit Coatings Safe to Eat?

For most consumers, the edible coatings on fruit pose no health risk. All food-safe coatings must comply with strict regulations set by food safety authorities such as the FDA. The amount of coating applied is minimal, and since waxes are not digestible, they pass through the body without being absorbed.

However, some specific concerns are worth noting:

Allergies: Certain coatings containing protein-based additives (e.g., from soy or whey) may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Additives: Some waxes contain emulsifiers like morpholine. While present in small, regulated doses, some studies have raised concerns about its potential to form nitrosomorpholine, a genotoxic carcinogen, when it comes into contact with nitrates in the body.
Contaminants: As a coating can trap surface contaminants like pesticides, some prefer to wash the produce thoroughly or peel it to minimize any potential risk.

Comparison of Common Fruit Coatings


Coating Type	Source	Primary Function	Suitability for Organic/Vegan	Key Considerations
Carnauba Wax	Leaves of Brazilian palm tree	Excellent moisture barrier, provides shine	Yes (plant-based)	A very common and effective natural wax. GRAS status.
Beeswax	Honeybees	Reduces moisture loss, antifungal properties	Organic, but not vegan	Considered a natural and safe option.
Shellac	Secretions of lac bug	Provides glossy, protective seal	Not vegan	Effective barrier but is an animal-derived product.
Paraffin Wax	Petroleum industry	Reduces moisture loss, adds shine	Not organic, but edible	Food-grade versions are FDA-approved as safe for consumption.
Chitosan	Crustacean shells (or fungi)	Antimicrobial barrier, reduces respiration	Not vegan (if from crustacean)	Effective against microbial spoilage.

Washing Techniques to Remove Edible Coatings

Though generally harmless, many people prefer to remove coatings from produce. It is important to note that coatings are designed to adhere well, and washing may not remove all traces. Peeling is the most surefire method.

Here are some common washing methods:

Warm Water and Scrubbing: The simplest method is to wash produce under running, warm water while scrubbing with a vegetable brush. This helps loosen and remove the thin layer.
Baking Soda and Water Soak: A popular home remedy involves soaking the fruit in a bowl of warm water with a tablespoon of baking soda for 5–10 minutes, then scrubbing and rinsing. This is often recommended for removing pesticide residues as well as wax.
Vinegar Solution: Soaking produce in a solution of vinegar and water, followed by scrubbing, can also help break down the coating. The acidity helps to soften the wax.

Conclusion: Navigating Fruit Coatings for a Healthy Diet

Edible coatings are a fundamental part of the modern food supply chain, playing a crucial role in reducing food waste and ensuring that produce arrives at stores in optimal condition. For those following a particular nutrition diet, understanding what these coatings are made of is key to making informed choices. The use of different waxes, proteins, and polysaccharides is regulated and generally considered safe for consumption.

For most, a simple wash is sufficient, but those with dietary preferences like veganism or specific health concerns might opt for organic produce or varieties that are shrink-wrapped instead of waxed, such as English cucumbers. Ultimately, these transparent protective layers help balance the demands of a global food system with the desire for fresh, high-quality produce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Supermarket produce can be coated with a variety of edible, food-grade waxes. Common examples include carnauba wax (from palm leaves), beeswax, shellac (from lac bugs), and petroleum-based paraffin wax. These are regulated and considered safe for consumption.

Yes, the wax applied to fruits and vegetables is edible and approved for consumption by food safety authorities like the FDA. The amount used is very small, and it is indigestible, passing through your body without being absorbed.

The most effective way to remove wax or other coatings is to scrub the produce under warm running water with a vegetable brush. Some people also soak fruit in a mixture of warm water and a tablespoon of baking soda before scrubbing and rinsing.

Coatings are applied to fruits primarily to replace the natural wax that is removed during washing. This artificial layer helps to reduce moisture loss, prevent shriveling, slow down the ripening process, and protect the fruit during transportation.

No, not all fruit coatings are vegan. Some, like beeswax and shellac, are derived from animals or insects. Vegan alternatives include plant-based options like carnauba wax, candelilla wax, and certain protein or polysaccharide-based coatings.

Organic fruits can also have coatings. For organic produce, the waxes used must be from naturally derived, non-synthetic sources and certified for organic use. Options like carnauba wax and beeswax are common choices.

While the wax itself is safe, it can potentially trap contaminants like pesticides on the surface. For this reason, some people choose to thoroughly wash or peel their produce to minimize any potential exposure to surface contaminants trapped under the coating.

Apeel is a plant-based edible coating made from lipids and glycerolipids extracted from fruit peels. It is FDA-approved and works by creating a protective layer that slows down oxidation and water loss, often used as an alternative to traditional waxes and single-use plastic packaging.