E904: Shellac
What is E904?
Shellac (E904) is a natural resin that forms a hard, glossy, food-safe film. It is dissolved in alcohol for application and leaves a shiny coating once the solvent evaporates.
Origin and production
It is made from lac, a resin secreted by the female lac insect (Kerria lacca) on trees, mainly in India and Thailand. The lac is scraped from branches, then purified and sometimes bleached.
Why is it used?
Shellac is used as a glazing agent to give sweets, chocolate-coated products and some cake decorations a durable shine and protect them from moisture. It is also used on some fruit and on coated tablets.
Vegan, vegetarian and halal
Shellac comes from insects, so it is not suitable for vegans and is generally avoided by vegetarians. Its acceptance under halal and kosher rules varies between certification bodies, so certified products are the safest guide.
Safety and regulation
E904 is authorised in the EU for specific uses such as glazing confectionery and coating fruit, and it has been evaluated by EFSA.
Written by the Foodlas editorial team with AI assistance and checked against EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and EFSA scientific opinions. Last reviewed: October 14, 2026.
Sources: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 · EFSA — Food additives · Wikidata
Common in
Products containing E904
