Beeswax - Food safe vs Cosmetics grade

[davidjames]

I was looking to buy my dad some beeswax for top coats, mixing his own finish, and other applications all within the realm of food safe finishes. Things that'll be in direct or indirect food contact. So as the most direct, large bowls and platters, and indirect being other tools and handles for tools within the kitchen.

However, I can only immediately see "cosmetic grade" beeswax.

Now, naturally, we don't eat beeswax...

But am I right to look for food safe? In the same way I have bought him pure tung oil over some sort of diluted form with all sorts of chemicals in it.

I do feel like I'm over complicating the question of "wax", so what do you all use?

I was looking at pellets such as these: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=271993859178#ht_2626wt_1065

[Kuffy]

I just bought a chunk of beeswax, which was cut from a bigger chunk, from Timbecon early this arvo. I'm guessing the big chunk of wax was sourced from a local beekeeper which extracted the honeycombs and boiled them to make the wax block. I will be using on some end grain cutting boards in a 4:1 ratio mix of paraffin and beeswax as the top coat. Cosmetic beeswax can be used for lip balm, and if it goes on the lips, it probably goes in the stomach too so how unsafe could it possibly be. I am willing to assume the beekeeper which made the block of wax that I purchased did not mix the melted wax with poison, much the same way as I assume the kids at Macca's aren't spitting in my burgers...though maccas have nearly killed me three times so far...hmmm

[davidjames]

I just bought a chunk of beeswax, which was cut from a bigger chunk, from Timbecon early this arvo. I'm guessing the big chunk of wax was sourced from a local beekeeper which extracted the honeycombs and boiled them to make the wax block. I will be using on some end grain cutting boards in a 4:1 ratio mix of paraffin and beeswax as the top coat. Cosmetic beeswax can be used for lip balm, and if it goes on the lips, it probably goes in the stomach too so how unsafe could it possibly be. I am willing to assume the beekeeper which made the block of wax that I purchased did not mix the melted wax with poison, much the same way as I assume the kids at Macca's aren't spitting in my burgers...though maccas have nearly killed me three times so far...hmmm

Thanks for your thoughts. I do agree re: if they’re used for lip balm / cosmetics, they “should” be okay, but have to ask, as I don’t have any experience with this stuff.
I also have to comment re: your use of paraffin on an end grain chopping board. This is known as a toxic substance. Ingestion can be harmful or even fatal. Does paraffin mean something else outside of the UK?! I thought food grade mineral OILs were quite standard for chopping board treatment? You can also make a blend of this with your wax.

edit: paraffin means kerosene to me - the toxic stuff. But "paraffin oil" can mean "mineral oil" as well. I am assuming that is the stuff you're using :B

[Kidbee]

I wonder from what country those where beeswax pellets were sourced.

Beeswax absorbs chemicals like a big sponge. Australia is said to have the cleanest beeswax that there is and it is in high demand. The reason is that we do not have Varroa mites and do not put pesticide strips in the hives like the other countries do.

[Kuffy]

Mineral oil = Liquid paraffin. https://www.timbecon.com.au/finishing/oils-waxes/foodsafe-plus-oil

You can probably drink this stuff, but you will be sitting on the dunny because of it.

[davidjames]

I wonder from what country those where beeswax pellets were sourced.

Beeswax absorbs chemicals like a big sponge. Australia is said to have the cleanest beeswax that there is and it is in high demand. The reason is that we do not have Varroa mites and do not put pesticide strips in the hives like the other countries do.

They were sourced in the UK, in Essex, as far as I can tell… which might explain their bright tax colour. Useful information though, thank you, I’ll look into this.

[Robson Valley]

Clean bees wax is edible, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
In fact, I buy honey as honey comb blocks, straight from the bee keeper.
Expensive novelty, the bees don't like to do it (slow to fill out the box).
But, they make nice gifts. You chew out the honey and chew on the wax like chewing gum.
In any case in an average serving, your (potential) pesticide consumption is negligible.
I expect to eat more in a bowl of fresh cherries.

Bunch of local bee keepers here in the mountains, spread all around the district.
Just wildflower honey, pale yellow in snow-white wax.

Beeswax: varies in color, seemingly dependant on what ever flower foraging the bees are doing at the time.
"Cosmetic Grade" is advertising hype. Maybe color control and filtering to remove pollen, bee legs & wings, etc., all of which is at least edible.

Some evidence emerging recently that the Varroa mites are not so much a problem as several very specific types of bacteria that they carry.

Go for a long drive. Stop in the villages, ask for the bee keepers. Buy direct.

Yeah, I've seen the "food grade" mineral oil. Buy at the Chemist's as a laxative. Not on my hand carved wooden dishes, thank you.