E905E – Mineral oil, medium and low viscosity
Glazing agentDescription
Complex mixture of liquid hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum
Notes
## E905E - Mineral Oil (Low Viscosity) **Mineral oil** is a complex mixture of liquid **hydrocarbons** obtained from **petroleum** through distillation and refining processes. The "low viscosity" designation means it's a thinner, more fluid version compared to heavier mineral oils. Food-grade mineral oil undergoes extensive purification, including treatments with **sulfuric acid** and **activated carbon**, to remove impurities and create a colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid that meets strict food safety standards. As a **release agent** and **glazing agent**, E905E prevents food from sticking to processing equipment and can provide a protective coating on certain products. You'll typically encounter it in commercial food manufacturing rather than in home cooking - it might be used on baking equipment, food processing machinery, or as a coating on some packaged goods to maintain freshness and appearance. This **synthetic additive** is derived from petroleum, making it technically **suitable for vegetarians and vegans** since it contains no animal products, though some people prefer to avoid petroleum-derived ingredients for environmental or personal reasons. Food-grade mineral oil is highly regulated and must meet stringent purity standards. While approved for food contact use, it's designed to be used in minimal amounts and primarily in processing applications rather than as a direct food ingredient.