Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) vs Carnauba Wax — Which Is Worse?

FactorPolysorbate 80 (Tween 80)Carnauba Wax
E-NumberE433E903
CategoryEmulsifierEmulsifier
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)Moderate Risk (6/10)
FDA StatusFDA-approved as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe). Listed in 21 CFR 172.840. Permitted as an emulsifier, dispersant, o…FDA classifies carnauba wax as GRAS (21 CFR 184.1978). Approved for use as a glazing agent, anti-caking agent, and surfa…
EFSA StatusEFSA evaluated in 2015 and 2018. Approved as E433 with an ADI of 25 mg/kg body weight/day. EFSA noted that at the approv…EFSA approved with an ADI of 7 mg/kg body weight/day. Re-evaluated in 2012 as part of the wax group.
Banned In——
Products Found731

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80)

Carnauba Wax

Which Products Use Each?

7
products contain Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80)
31
products contain Carnauba Wax

⚖️ The Verdict

Both Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) and Carnauba Wax have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse than the other based on current data.

Both ingredients should be consumed mindfully. Use CheckIt AI to scan products and avoid whichever ones concern you most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) or Carnauba Wax worse?
Both Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) and Carnauba Wax have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse based on available data.
What is the difference between Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) and Carnauba Wax?
Both are emulsifiers. Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 7 products. Carnauba Wax has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 31 products.
Are Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) and Carnauba Wax banned?
Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) is not currently banned in any major market. Carnauba Wax is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) and Carnauba Wax?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) and Carnauba Wax and suggest safer alternatives.
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Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) Deep Dive Carnauba Wax Deep Dive All 180 Comparisons All Ingredients Ingredients Banned in Europe Scoring Methodology

⚕️ This comparison is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) vs Carnauba Wax — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/polysorbate-80-vs-carnauba-wax
MLA"Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) vs Carnauba Wax — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/polysorbate-80-vs-carnauba-wax.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/polysorbate-80-vs-carnauba-wax">Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) vs Carnauba Wax — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientspolysorbate80vscarnaubawax, title = {Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) vs Carnauba Wax — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/polysorbate-80-vs-carnauba-wax}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }