Frederic Melton
Babybel cheese is known for its red wax coating, which is not unique to the brand. The wax is made of a blend of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes and colouring, which specifically contains no bisphenol A. It is food safe and poses no health risk if accidentally ingested. The wax forms a protective barrier around the cheese, functioning as a crust and protecting it from airborne bacteria, mould growth, and drying while it ages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Paraffin wax, microcrystalline waxes, and colouring |
| Other possible ingredients | Carnauba wax |
| Properties | Soft and pliable |
| Purpose | Protects and preserves the cheese, prevents airborne bacteria, mould growth, and drying |
| Safety | Food-safe, poses no health risk if accidentally ingested, does not contain bisphenol A (BPA) |
| Disposal | Not compostable due to paraffin content, but can be recycled |
| Layers | Two |
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What You'll Learn
- Babybel cheese's wax coating is made from a blend of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes
- The wax is food-safe and poses no health risk if accidentally ingested
- The wax is used to protect the cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth and drying
- Babybel cheese is not the only product to use wax coating, other hard and semi-hard cheeses use it too
- The wax coating is used to form a protective barrier around the cheese
Babybel cheese's wax coating is made from a blend of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes
Babybel cheese is famous for its red wax coating, which is not unique to the brand. Other hard and semi-hard cheeses like Gouda and Parmesan also use wax coatings. The wax coating on Babybel cheese is made from a blend of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes and colouring, which specifically contains no bisphenol A. It is "'food safe" and meets strict regulatory standards. The wax forms a protective barrier around the cheese, functioning as a crust, and preventing the growth of any unwanted mould while retaining the cheese's moisture and protecting it from drying out.
Babybel's wax coating also helps to preserve the cheese, allowing it to be stored at room temperature for several hours without refrigeration. The wax is soft and pliable, unlike pure paraffin wax, which becomes brittle and cracks easily. The wax is also used to protect the cheese during shipping, as it is packaged in a netted bag to prevent damage to the wax from stacking or bumping.
While the wax is safe to ingest accidentally, it is not recommended for consumption. Some people have attempted to melt down the wax for various purposes, such as creating homemade cheese or crafting, but there is a high risk of contamination.
Babybel is committed to sustainability and recyclability in its packaging. The company has partnered with Terracycle to recycle as many packaging components as possible, including the wax coating.
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The wax is food-safe and poses no health risk if accidentally ingested
Babybel cheese is famous for its red wax coating, which is not unique to the brand. Other hard and semi-hard cheeses like Gouda and Parmesan also use wax coatings. The wax coating forms a protective barrier around the cheese and functions as a crust, protecting it from airborne bacteria, mould growth, and drying while it ages.
Babybel's wax coating is made from a blend of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes and colouring, specifically containing no bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound often used in plastic food packaging. The wax is "food safe", meeting strict regulatory standards and posing no health risk if accidentally ingested. It also helps the cheese last for over a week when stored in the refrigerator.
While the wax is food-safe, Babybel does not recommend eating it. The wax is soft and pliable, preventing it from becoming brittle and cracking easily, as pure paraffin wax tends to do. The wax coating also gives the cheese a shiny, appealing appearance.
The wax coating has multiple functions, including preserving the cheese and making it stand out as an iconic product with an unparalleled unwrapping experience. The wax is also used for other Babybel products, such as the Mini Rolls and Plant-Based product packaging.
While some people have experimented with reusing the wax for homemade cheese or crafting, there is a high risk of contamination, and it is generally recommended to avoid doing so.
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The wax is used to protect the cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth and drying
Babybel cheese is known for its red wax coating, which is not unique to the brand. Other hard and semi-hard cheeses like Gouda and Parmesan also use wax coatings. The wax is used to protect the cheese from airborne bacteria, mould growth, and drying while it ages. It also helps the cheese last for well over a week when stored in the refrigerator.
The wax coating forms a protective barrier around the cheese and functions as a crust in all respects. It is made from a blend of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes and colouring, which specifically contains no bisphenol A. It is soft and pliable, unlike pure paraffin wax, which becomes brittle and cracks easily. The wax is \"food safe\" and poses no health risk if accidentally ingested.
Babybel cheese can be stored unrefrigerated at room temperature for several hours due to its protective wax coating. However, it is recommended that the cheese be eaten right after the wax coating is removed, as air will cause the cheese to dry out.
In addition to its functional benefits, the wax coating also contributes to the iconic unwrapping experience associated with Babybel cheese. The bright red wax (or green wax for its vegan cheese) provides a unique and appealing packaging that has become synonymous with the brand.
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Babybel cheese is not the only product to use wax coating, other hard and semi-hard cheeses use it too
Babybel cheese is well-known for its red wax coating, which is iconic in the world of food and beverage packaging. The wax is made from a blend of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes with colouring that contains no bisphenol A (BPA). It is food-safe, meeting strict regulatory standards, and poses no health risk if accidentally ingested. The wax forms a protective barrier, functioning as a crust, and preventing damage to the cheese.
However, Babybel cheese is not the only product to use wax coating. In fact, wax coating is often used on other hard and semi-hard cheeses, such as Gouda and Parmesan, that only need a few months to age. Wax coating helps to prevent unwanted mould growth and retains moisture while the cheese ages. It is a safe and effective way to keep certain foods fresh for longer and gives them a shiny, appealing coating.
Cheese wax comes in a variety of colours, from red to purple, but the most common colours are red, yellow, and black. The colour of the wax does not change the cheese's composition or flavour, and companies have free rein to use whatever colour they prefer. For example, around St. Patrick's Day, shamrock-shaped cheddars in bright green wax appear in stores. Black wax is often used to indicate the age of a cheese, with aged Parmesan and aged cheddar cheeses often coated in black wax.
Wax coating is a popular method for preserving hard cheeses during the aging process. Wax coating preserves the cheese, preventing mould from growing on its surface and helping to retain moisture. Waxing is best suited to hard, drier cheeses, as softer, moist cheeses do not take to waxing as well. Before waxing, the cheese should be chilled to help the wax stick and set. Once coated in wax, the cheese should be stored in a cool, dark area with the proper moisture levels to avoid environmental hazards.
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The wax coating is used to form a protective barrier around the cheese
Babybel cheese is known for its red wax coating, which is not unique to the brand. Other hard and semi-hard cheeses like Gouda and Parmesan also use wax coatings. The wax coating on Babybel cheese is used to form a protective barrier around the cheese. It helps to preserve the cheese by protecting it from airborne bacteria, mould growth, and drying while it ages. The wax is made from a blend of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes, which are petroleum-based solids, and colouring, which specifically contains no Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound often used in plastic food packaging. This blend of waxes creates a soft and pliable coating that is less brittle and less prone to cracking compared to pure paraffin wax.
The wax coating on Babybel cheese is safe to ingest and meets strict regulatory standards. It poses no health risk if accidentally ingested, so it is safe for both children and adults to consume. In addition to its protective properties, the wax coating also gives the cheese a shiny and appealing appearance. The wax is soft and pliable, making it easy to peel off and enjoy the cheese.
The protective wax coating has multiple functions. Firstly, it acts as a barrier to prevent the cheese from drying out. Secondly, it helps to regulate the moisture content of the cheese, ensuring it remains at the optimal level. This is particularly important for semi-hard and hard cheeses, which require a controlled environment to age and develop their characteristic flavours and textures.
The wax coating also serves as a protective crust, safeguarding the cheese from physical damage during transportation and storage. It acts as a buffer, preventing the cheese from being damaged by stacking or bumping. This is especially important for Babybel cheese, which is often transported and sold in netted bags, where individual pieces are more susceptible to physical impact.
Overall, the wax coating on Babybel cheese is an essential component of its packaging. It provides a protective barrier that preserves the quality and freshness of the cheese, while also enhancing its visual appeal. The wax is safe to ingest and plays a crucial role in maintaining the cheese's texture and flavour during storage and transportation.
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Frequently asked questions
Babybel cheese wax is made of a blend of paraffin and microcrystalline waxes and colouring, which specifically contains no bisphenol A.
Babybel cheese wax is "'food safe" and poses no health risk if accidentally ingested. However, the company does not recommend eating it.
The red wax coating is not unique to Babybel cheese, with other hard and semi-hard cheeses like Gouda and Parmesan also using brightly coloured wax.
Babybel cheese appears to have two layers of wax. The inner layer is likely PVA, and the outer layer is the red wax.
You can melt down Babybel cheese wax and use it for various purposes, such as creating your own candles, wax seals, or fire starters for camping trips. However, it is important to note that the chance of contamination is high, so it is recommended to only use the wax for non-food purposes.
