Lanolin (E913): What It Is and Is It Safe?
Lanolin is a wax recovered from sheep's wool, used as a glazing agent, historically in chewing-gum base, and as a feedstock for vitamin D3. Its wool-alcohol fraction is a well-documented contact allergen, named Allergen of the Year 2023, that can cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitised people. Ingested at coating levels it is poorly absorbed and inert, so the principal concern is skin sensitisation rather than dietary toxicity.
- Category
- Glazing Agent — Wool wax
- Typically used in
- Glazing agent; chewing-gum base; vitamin D3 source.
- Regulatory status
- Limited food-additive use; not broadly authorised as a general EU/UK food additive.
- Concerns flagged
-
Possible allergen
Scrannr flags Lanolin automatically when you scan a barcode.
Where this comes from
- DermNet NZ (2023) — Contact reactions to lanolin https://dermnetnz.org/topics/contact-reactions-to-lanolin
Products containing Lanolin
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