Ingredient Index

Is Morpholine banned in Europe?

Banned in EU

Yes: morpholine is not authorized in the EU, and fruit waxed with a morpholine-based coating cannot be sold there. In the US, the FDA permits it as a coating agent on fresh fruits and vegetables.

CAS: 110-91-8 Also seen as: Morpholine, Tetrahydro-1,4-oxazine

What the EU does

Not authorized. Morpholine is used as an emulsifier to help carry the wax coatings that give apples and citrus their shine, but it has never been approved for that use in the EU. The European Commission confirmed that fruit glazed with wax containing morpholine cannot be placed on the EU market, because the substance is not on the authorized list.

The concern that keeps it off the list is chemistry, not acute toxicity. Morpholine can react with nitrosating agents to form N-nitrosomorpholine, a compound flagged in carcinogenicity studies. European regulators judged the residues low-risk in practice, but "low risk" is not the same as "authorized," and without authorization the coating is simply not permitted.

Citation Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (morpholine not authorized as a food additive); European Commission position on morpholine-waxed fruit

What the US does

Permitted. Under 21 CFR 172.235, morpholine may be used as a component of the protective coatings applied to fresh fruits and vegetables, when formulated as a salt of fatty acids and used at no more than the level needed to do the job. That is why a US-grown waxed apple or a shiny supermarket orange can legally carry it.

It rarely appears on a label, because loose produce is not required to list wax components at the point of sale. The wax itself is disclosed in only general terms, if at all, which is part of why most shoppers have never heard of the ingredient doing the shining.

Citation 21 CFR 172.235 (morpholine, protective coatings on fresh produce)

Products that commonly contain it

Morpholine rides along with the wax on fresh produce. In the US you may meet it on:

Waxed apples, especially conventional supermarket varieties
Citrus such as oranges, lemons, and limes
Cucumbers, bell peppers, and other shine-coated vegetables
Some conventionally grown pears and stone fruit

What to look for on a label

Produce wax is lightly disclosed, so this one takes a little detective work:

Signage reading "coated with food-grade wax to maintain freshness" is the main clue
Organic produce avoids petroleum- and morpholine-based coatings
Washing helps a little, but wax and its carriers do not fully rinse off; peeling removes more

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Frequently asked questions

Is morpholine banned in Europe?

Effectively yes. It is not authorized as a food additive in the EU, and fruit waxed with a morpholine-based coating cannot be sold there.

Is morpholine allowed in the United States?

Yes. The FDA permits it under 21 CFR 172.235 as a component of protective wax coatings on fresh fruits and vegetables.

Should I be worried about morpholine on my apples?

The residues involved are small, and even European regulators called the practical risk low. If you would rather skip it, choose organic produce or peel waxed fruit.

Related ingredients

Primary sources

Last reviewed July 20, 2026 · How we assign statuses