Mineral oil high viscosity
Permitted in specific uses, but controversial.
- Category
- Glazing agents
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
A highly refined, thick liquid hydrocarbon mixture used as a release agent for baking pans.
How it is used in food
Acts as a glazing, anti-sticking and dust-binding agent in specific technical applications; high-viscosity grades were chosen precisely because they are too large to be meaningfully absorbed.
Commonly found in- Bakery pan release agents
Health and safety
Authorised in the EU for specific technical uses, but long-term accumulation of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) remains a concern.
JECFA assigned high-viscosity mineral oils an ADI of 0–20 mg/kg body weight. However, EFSA's 2012 opinion on mineral oil hydrocarbons flagged accumulation of saturated fractions (MOSH) in liver and lymph nodes, keeping the class under regulatory scrutiny.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Not approved | Not on the EU authorised list of food additives (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Authorised for food use by the FDA (often GRAS for standard additives). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E905d
Worth knowing
Mineral oil hydrocarbons are among the most widespread contaminants in the food chain — most human exposure comes from packaging migration and environmental sources, not from deliberate additive use.
Conclusion
Permitted in specific uses, but controversial.
References
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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