Waxes on Fruits & Vegetables: Common Produce that Receives a Wax Application

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Have you noticed how shiny your apples and oranges are when you buy them from the store? Have you ever wondered how they got that way? Normally, some sort of produce wax has been applied.

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Naturally Occurring Waxes on Fruits & Vegetables

All fruit naturally has a unique external wax layer (the cuticle). The way that the light reflects off the fruit, and not how much wax is on the fruit, determines how waxy the outer layer of the fruit looks. The wax outer layer is naturally water repellent, making it difficult for any application made directly to the fruit (e.g., pesticide) to affect the fruit in the desired manner. Due to this and the loss of the external cuticle throughout handling, as well as additional benefits gained, edible coatings (including waxes and edible films) are commonly applied to fruits and vegetables after they have been harvested.

Wax that is Applied to Fruits & Vegetables

The term “waxes” refers to waxes, oils and/or resins, which all mimic naturally occurring elements in produce. In order to be applied to produce, waxes and other edible coatings must be food grade. Produce wax examples commonly include carnauba wax (from the leaves of the carnauba palm) and shellac (an insect wax), which are responsible for the shiny appearance.

Is Wax Applied to Organic Produce Too?

Waxes and edible coatings are applied to both conventional and organic produce. However, in the case of organic produce, they have to use specified organic wax on their products in order to retain the “organic” label. The list of permitted products can be found as part of the National Organic Program, which you will see does include carnauba wax.

Why is Wax Applied to Fruits & Vegetables?

The four main reasons that edible coatings are typically applied are to:

  1. Decrease moisture loss (reduce shriveling/wilting)
  2. Delay decay issues
  3. Improve the physical appearance to make the produce look more appealing
  4. Serve as a lubricant to help prevent scarring issues once the produce is on display at the market

Are Any Other Components Included in Produce Wax?

In addition to the wax and edible film components, other chemicals can be added to the mix in order to aid in the loss of deterioration. These additional chemicals include fungicides (to prevent against decay), bactericides, growth regulators, chilling injury protectants and senescence inhibitors (to prevent rapid aging).

What Fruits & Vegetables Receive Wax Applications?

Some common examples of produce that receive wax applications include:

  • Peaches – Peaches go through a wash step (where the detergent in the water can affect the natural fruit wax), are brushed to remove the peach fuzz (another step that could alter the original fruit wax) and then go through a waxing step to decrease water loss (shriveling) and decay (with the use of a fungicide), and to improve the appearance of the peach after any injuries caused during the defuzzing step. (You can click here to see a more detailed view of the peach packing process.)
  • Cucumbers – Waxes and/or vegetable oil are commonly applied to reduce water loss (shriveling), decrease decay and to enhance their appearance.
  • Citrus – Citrus fruit are coated with a fungicidal wax to reduce water loss (shriveling) and to decrease decay. (You can click here to see a more detailed view of the citrus packing process.)
Produce Wax - Peaches
Produce Wax - Cucumbers
Produce Wax - Oranges

It is important to remember that although there are certain industry standards, each operation runs their produce a little bit differently than the next. For example, although it is common that cucumbers receive a wax application during packing, one packer might use a wax application, another packer could use a vegetable oil application and another packer could apply no wax at all.  One final point to consider is that some of the largest apple producers use so little wax that it is considered insignificant when compared to the fruits naturally occurring wax. 

Frequently Asked Questions

When is wax applied to fruits and vegetables?

Wax and any other type of edible coating is applied after harvest, during the packing process.

Is fruit that has been waxed safe to eat?

Yes. All waxes and edible coatings have to be approved as food grade and safe to eat in order for them to legally be applied. 

Should I wash fruit that has wax on it differently?

No. In general, it is recommended to wash all fruits and vegetables just using water, regardless of whether or not wax has been applied. (You can click here to learn how the FDA recommends washing fruits and vegetables.) 

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Resources:

Baldwin, E.A. “Edible Coatings for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Past, Present, and Future.” Edible Coatings and Films to Improve Food Quality. Eds. Krochta, J.M., Baldwin, E.A. and Nisperos-Carriedo, M. USA: CRC Press LLC, 1994. 25-64. Print.

Cantwell, M.I. and Kasmire, R.F. “Postharvest Handling Systems: Fruit Vegetables.” Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops, 3rd Edition. Oakland, CA: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2002. 407-421. Print.

Hardenburg, R.E. Wax and Related Coatings for Horticultural Products: A Bibliography. Series: ARS 51;15. Washington: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1967. U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library. Web. 30 May 2016.

Kolattukudy, P. E. “Natural Waxes on Fruits.” Post Harvest Pomology Newsletter 2.2 (May 1984). Washington State University – Tree Fruit Research & Extension Center, Mar. 2003. Web. 2 June 2016.

Lecos, C. 1982. “How to Shine an Apple.” FDA Consumer (February): 8-11.

This Post Has 5 Comments

  1. Dana

    Does organic produce get other chemicals added too? ……..Can the wax/chemicals cause cancer?

  2. Andrea

    How long will zucchini last after it is picked and how should I store it?? Thank you

    1. Megan

      Hi Andrea, thank you for the comment! Zucchinis can last for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. If you store them on the counter, they will not last as long.

      For more detailed information regarding the ideal refrigerator temperature, you can check out the UCD Postharvest page on squash: http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/pfvegetable/Squash/

  3. Aron Deutsch

    Will greenhouse grown fruits or vegetables be less frequently waxed?
    Will hydroponically grown fruits or vegetables be less frequently waxed?
    Do you know any source for unwaxed peaches or plums?

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