So many things used to be covered in wax before plastics and PFA coatings took over. From rain coats to butcher's paper. The wax versions still exist, but they'

So many things used to be covered in wax before plastics and PFA coatings took over. From rain coats to butcher's paper. The wax versions still exist, but they're often a lot more expensive than the PFA or plastic lined versions. In my fantasy world these were all covered in beeswax, but I doubt there's enough beeswax for all of those applicatins. I don't suppose anyone knows what the wax is/was made of, and whether it had any health concerns as well?