E905A – Mineral oil
Glazing agentDescription
Complex mixture of liquid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum
Notes
Mineral oil light, also known as white mineral oil or liquid paraffin, is derived from petroleum through an extensive refining process. It starts with crude oil, which undergoes distillation and purification to remove impurities, colors, and odors, leaving behind a clear, colorless mixture of liquid hydrocarbons (molecules made of only carbon and hydrogen). The "light" designation means it has a lower viscosity – it's thinner and flows more easily than heavier mineral oils. The final product is highly purified and meets strict food-grade standards. In food production, mineral oil light primarily functions as a release agent, which means it prevents food from sticking to processing equipment, molds, and packaging. You might encounter it in baked goods production where it helps release products from pans, in some confectionery manufacturing, and occasionally as a coating on certain food processing equipment. It can also serve as a glazing agent in some applications, though this is less common than its use as a processing aid. This is a synthetic, petroleum-derived additive that is suitable for vegetarians and vegans as it contains no animal products. Food-grade mineral oil light is considered safe by regulatory agencies like the FDA and European Food Safety Authority because it's highly refined and largely passes through the digestive system without being absorbed. It's acceptable under most religious dietary laws, including halal and kosher requirements. However, it's worth noting that while small amounts are considered safe, mineral oil can interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins if consumed in larger quantities, which is why its use in food is carefully regulated.