Latest reviewed evidence
FAO/WHO JECFA's food-additive specification for INS 901 gives a 62–65 degrees Celsius melting range, acid value 17–24, peroxide value not more than 5, saponification value 87–104, glycerol and other polyols not more than 0.5 percent and lead not more than 2 milligrams per kilogram. These are food-additive identity and purity references, not results for an untested lot, proof for another intended use, current supply, a current offer or a live delivered price.
JECFA beeswax melting-range lower bound
62
degrees Celsius; upper bound 65 · FAO/WHO JECFA INS 901 specification, Monograph 1 (2006)
JECFA beeswax acid-value lower bound
17
acid value; upper bound 24 · FAO/WHO JECFA INS 901 specification, Monograph 1 (2006)
JECFA beeswax peroxide-value ceiling
5
peroxide value, maximum · FAO/WHO JECFA INS 901 specification, Monograph 1 (2006)
JECFA beeswax saponification-value lower bound
87
saponification value; upper bound 104 · FAO/WHO JECFA INS 901 specification, Monograph 1 (2006)
JECFA beeswax polyol ceiling
0.5
percent as glycerol, maximum · FAO/WHO JECFA INS 901 specification, Monograph 1 (2006)
JECFA beeswax lead ceiling
2
milligrams per kilogram, maximum · FAO/WHO JECFA INS 901 specification, Monograph 1 (2006)
Yellow, white and unfinished beeswax are separate trade forms
JECFA defines yellow beeswax as material obtained after honey is removed from honeycomb, the comb is melted, filtered and cast. White beeswax is produced by bleaching yellow beeswax. The current U.S. eCFR similarly distinguishes yellow wax after refining from white wax after pigment bleaching. Atlas keeps raw comb wax, rendered and filtered yellow wax, refined or bleached white wax and finished formulations separate because process history changes colour, odour, impurity profile, residue questions and suitability for the intended use.
Food-additive specifications are references, not a lot certificate
The JECFA INS 901 specification describes identity and purity tests, including melting, acid, peroxide and saponification values, polyols and lead, plus tests for carnauba wax, paraffins, other waxes, fats, Japan wax, rosin and soap. A seller description does not prove that a lot passes. Atlas retains representative sampling, laboratory, named method, result, detection or quantification limit, test date and chain of custody with every analytical claim.
Food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, candle and hive uses stay distinct
Codex GSFA lists beeswax INS 901 as a food additive with defined functional classes and food-category provisions. The current U.S. rule permits specified food functions under good manufacturing practice. Those food permissions do not establish pharmaceutical, cosmetic, candle, technical or beekeeping suitability. Each observation therefore keeps intended use, destination rules, allergen or contaminant controls, compendial claim where applicable and buyer specification attached instead of transferring one market's status to another.
A standard profile does not establish a delivered beeswax price
Identity and purity references cannot establish apiary origin, current availability, render yield, colour or odour preference, adulteration status, package value or logistics. A delivered comparison still needs current permitted observations for the exact yellow or white form, process state, intended use, tested lot, package, quantity, origin, currency, Incoterm, destination, delivery window, freight and information vintage. Atlas withholds a physical estimate when those observations or usage rights are missing.