Montan asit esterleri

Detailed information

What it is & how it is made

A chemically modified wax of mineral origin, produced by esterifying montan acids -- extracted from oxidised montan wax obtained from lignite -- with ethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol or triols.

Where it is used

Used only for the surface treatment of fresh fruit as a glazing agent; it is not added into the food itself. It is authorised for this restricted use in the lists of EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and the Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Food Additives.

Health note

In its 2013 re-evaluation (EFSA Journal 2013;11(6):3236) EFSA noted that no data specific to montan acid esters were available on toxicokinetics or on reproductive and developmental toxicity, that the data on short-term and subchronic toxicity, genotoxicity and chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity were limited, and that important deficiencies were identified in the chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity studies. On this basis the Panel concluded that montan acid esters could not be evaluated as a food additive.

Halal assessment

Its source is mineral (montan wax derived from lignite) and the esterification is carried out synthetically; no animal input is reported in the EFSA opinion. Consult the manufacturer's halal certificate for a definitive answer.