Are You Using Authentic or Toxic Beeswax Food Wraps?

Lately, I’ve noticed a significant difference in the prices of beeswax wraps on the market. As a maker of these wraps, I was curious to understand why. Discovering the reasons behind this discrepancy may help reduce costs and attract more buyers. However, what I found was concerning—there are wraps made with paraffin wax being sold as alternatives to genuine beeswax wraps. This realization has led me to share some helpful insights for sellers, makers, and buyers alike, so you can make more informed decisions when purchasing beeswax products.

Paraffin wax wraps are often made with adulterated beeswax or paraffin wax. Through my research, which includes insights from beekeepers, wax manufacturers, and product tests from various sellers across the globe, I’ve gathered some key differences that can help you distinguish between authentic beeswax wraps and those made with paraffin wax. The differences are more obvious when testing and comparing with new wraps. Let’s take a closer look:

Paraffin wax block 

 Beeswax blocks 

Summary in a Table:

1. Pliability and Malleability

Paraffin Wax Wraps: Paraffin wax wraps tend to be soft, flexible, and easy to bend at room temperature. This pliability is a key giveaway.

Why?
Paraffin wax, which is often used in these wraps, has lower compressive strength. This makes it easier to mould and bend but less durable for long-term use.

Authentic Beeswax Wraps: In contrast, real beeswax wraps are firmer and not easily moulded at room temperature. They may become slightly more pliable when warmed, even with added jojoba or coconut oil, but they remain much firmer than paraffin wax wraps.

Why?
Beeswax has a higher compressive strength, which helps it maintain its shape and durability over time, making it ideal for applications like food wraps.

2. Smell

Paraffin Wax Wraps: If the wrap smells more like chemicals, oil, or crayons, it’s likely made with paraffin wax. Some may even add honey scent to mask the synthetic smell, but the fragrance is often overpowering and unnatural.

Authentic Beeswax Wraps: Authentic beeswax wraps have a subtle, natural honey scent, as beeswax comes directly from the hive, where bees store honey.

3. Texture

Paraffin Wax Wraps: These wraps tend to feel smoother with a slightly greasy texture.

Real Beeswax Wraps: They have a more textured, somewhat rough feel, and may also feel a bit sticky to the touch.

4. Cost

Paraffin Wax Wraps: Paraffin wax is inexpensive because it’s a byproduct of petroleum refining. It’s easy to produce and abundant, making it cheaper than beeswax.

Authentic Beeswax Wraps: Beeswax is a natural product created by bees and requires a labour-intensive process to harvest, clean, and refine. This makes it more expensive but also more sustainable.

5. Safety and Purity in Food Use

Paraffin Wax Wraps: Paraffin wax, derived from petroleum, may not be safe for food use. Its potential toxicity raises concerns about its edibility and long-term effects on health.

Authentic Beeswax Wraps: Beeswax has been used safely for centuries in food preservation. It’s natural, non-toxic, and eco-friendly, offering a breathable barrier that prevents dehydration while helping food stay fresh.

Fresh vegetables wrapped in beeswax food wraps.

6. Environmental Considerations and Consumer Appeal

Paraffin Wax Wraps: Paraffin wax is petroleum-based, non-renewable, and non-biodegradable. It can soften in warm climates and offers only temporary moisture retention, often leaving a greasy residue in some applications.

Authentic Beeswax Wraps: Beeswax is renewable, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly. It’s highly stable, retains its shape in warm climates, and offers long-lasting, breathable moisture retention.

7. Waste and Decomposition

Paraffin Wax Wraps: Since paraffin wax is petroleum-based, it takes significantly longer to decompose, contributing to long-term waste accumulation in landfills.

Authentic Beeswax Wraps: Beeswax is biodegradable and breaks down naturally, reducing its impact on the environment. Choosing beeswax wraps supports a more sustainable, zero-waste lifestyle.

8. Carbon Footprint

Paraffin Wax Wraps: Paraffin wax has a higher carbon footprint due to its petroleum origins. The extraction and refining processes release significant greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Authentic Beeswax Wraps: Beeswax, on the other hand, has a much smaller carbon footprint, requiring minimal processing and supporting vital bee populations essential for biodiversity.

9. Ideal Use Cases

Paraffin Wax: Due to its low cost and high availability, paraffin wax is commonly used in industrial applications, such as machinery lubrication, high-volume manufacturing, and commercial candles.

Beeswax: Beeswax’s environmental and health benefits make it ideal for cosmetics, food preservation, and sustainable products, where safety, non-toxicity, and eco-friendliness are top priorities.

Paraffin wax is often used to make crayons.

Conclusion

Both beeswax and paraffin wax have their advantages, but when it comes to food wraps, beeswax clearly stands out for its safety, sustainability, and health benefits. While paraffin wax may be a cost-effective choice for industrial applications, beeswax wraps offer a more eco-conscious and natural alternative. Whether you're wrapping food or investing in sustainable products, it is essential to make an informed decision about what is best for your health and the environment. Find out if your food wrap contains beeswax or paraffin wax!

References:

1. https://www.petronaftco.com/beeswax-vs-paraffin-wax/
2. https://beeswaxco.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/The-Hidden-Dangers-of-Imported-Beeswax-1.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoo1W5qOivCdk1Jw7ZVWPrNidX1NpBwxrcaVOdUxYj-L1f93O-H1
3. https://thebeekeeper.com.au/how-do-you-know-if-its-pure-beeswax-paraffin-or-beeswax-mixed-with-paraffin/