E913 - Lanolin

Author: Victoria Aly Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: January 27, 2026

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Characteristics: Food additive E 913 is a yellow-brown thick viscous substance. Linoleine has a pronounced emollient effect when rubbed into the skin. It has a special smell. It is obtained from sheep

Characteristic

Food additive E 913 is a yellow-brown thick viscous substance. Linoleine has a pronounced emollient effect when rubbed into the skin. It has a special smell. It is obtained from sheep's wool. In general, it is a mixture of higher fatty acids with esters of polyhydric alcohols and free polyhydric alcohols.

E 913 is resistant to various external factors, which allows for its long-term storage without affecting the properties. Lanolin dissolves well in chloroform, benzene, ether. It practically does not dissolve in alcohol and water.

Use

In the food industry, E 913 is used as an glazing agent. It is part of mixtures for covering fruits (apples, pineapple, peaches, pears, melons, plums, tangerines, grapefruit, oranges, lemons, limes, etc.). Lanolin is part of the glazes for candies, chocolate, dragees, confectionery pasta, chewing gum, coffee beans, nuts. Often the substance is an ingredient in creams, also in hair conditioners, where it improves the structure of the hair. Many ointments, medical patches, bandages are produced in lanolin-based medicine.

Highly purified lanolin is produced for breastfeeding women, which is used for the treatment and prevention of sore nipples.

Impact on humans

The substance does not pose a danger to human health. The highly purified version in the composition of ointments for sore nipples does not harm the newborn. The supplement moisturizes the skin very well, making it softer and more delicate. Studies show that lanolin can cause an allergic reaction in the form of a skin rash.

E913 - Lanolin

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Characteristic

Use

Impact on humans

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