UNFOUNDED - 'Kinder Joy Contains Wax Coating That Can Cause Cancer'

Outline

Circulating warning claims that children's chocolate treat, Kinder Joy contains a wax coating that can cause cancer. It further claims that Styrofoam containers also have a wax coating.

Brief Analysis

The claims in the warning are misleading and inaccurate. Many chocolate products do actually contain paraffin wax to give them a shiny finish and help them remain solid at room temperature. However, there is no evidence that this wax additive causes cancer. Wax has been used as an additive to various foods for decades and is considered non-toxic. And the claim that Styrofoam containers have a wax coating is false. The warning is similar to another false warning that claims that instant noodles have a wax coating.

Example

Food For Thought
KINDER JOY contains wax coating which is also used in Styrofoam containers. That is why Kinder Joy dont stick to each other when eating it. Our body needs upto two days to clean the wax.  Make sure you stop eating Kinder Joy. This wax can cause CANCER. Share if you care.

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Detailed Analysis

Warning Message Claims Kinder Joy Has Cancer Causing Wax Coating

According to a warning that circulates via social media, you should stop eating the chocolate treat Kinder Joy because it contains a wax coating that can cause cancer. The message claims that the wax coating is designed to stop the treats sticking together when you eat them.

The message warns that your body can take up to two days to get rid of the accumulated wax and that this accumulation can lead to cancer.

It further claims that the same cancer causing wax coating is used in Styrofoam containers. 

However, the claims in the message are misleading and inaccurate.

Many Chocolate Products DO Contain Wax

In fact, many chocolate products do actually contain paraffin wax as an additive. The wax is added to the chocolate products to give them a shiny finish and help them remain solid at room temperature.

It is unclear if Kinder Joy products contain this paraffin wax additive. Wax is not listed as a Kinder Joy ingredient. However, as explained by Stasia Bliss in an article discussing the use of paraffin wax in chocolate, wax may not always be listed as an ingredient on product labels.

Food grade paraffin wax is used in the production of candy as well as chocolate and a variety of other food products.

No Wax Cancer Link

However, the claim in the warning message that wax can cause cancer is unfounded. There is no credible evidence to support any links between wax consumption and cancer.

And, wax does not accumulate in the body as implied in the message. Wax is an inert substance that does not interact with the human digestive system and passes unaltered through the body.

Some people may experience allergic reactions to wax. And, swallowing a large amount of some types of wax may lead to intestinal obstruction.

But, to reiterate, food grade wax has been used in various foods for many years, is non-toxic, and is not linked to cancer.

Styrofoam Containers Do Not Have Wax Coating

The claim that polystyrene foam food containers have wax coating is untrue. In fact, the claim is absurd. There is no sensible reason to coat such containers with wax.

Warning Mirrors Old 'Noodles Wax Coating' Hoax

This warning closely mirrors another long-running Internet warning that falsely claims that instant noodles contain a cancer causing wax coating. Like the Kinder Joy warning, the noodles version claims that the wax is added to prevent sticking and that the Styrofoam containers that noodles come in also have a wax coating.

Sharing False Health Warnings Counterproductive

Sending on false and misleading warnings about supposed health risks is counterproductive and will help nobody. It is important to check the veracity of supposed health advisory messages before sharing them with others.