Shellac
Shellac is a resin secreted by the lac insect, used as a shiny glaze (E904) on sweets, fruit and tablets.
- Used in
- Food ingredient
- Role
- Glazing agent
- E-number
- E904
Also listed as
Contains / relevant to
- Vegan: Not vegan: IngrediLens flags it as an ingredient of animal origin.
- Vegetarian: Not vegetarian: IngrediLens flags it as needing slaughter or insects.
What to look for on labels
- In the EU it can also appear as E904.
Related
- Carmine (cochineal)Carmine, also called cochineal or E120, is a red colour extracted from cochineal insects.
- Beeswax (cera alba)Beeswax, listed as cera alba, is wax produced by honeybees, used to thicken balms and lipsticks.
- E904: ShellacE-number page: what the additive does and what to watch for.
- E-numbers explained: what food label codes meanGuide
Sources
Insect-derived.
- IngrediLens ingredient database (names, flags and notes shown on this page)
Label information, not medical advice. This page describes how an ingredient is named and labelled and how IngrediLens flags it; it cannot tell you whether a product is safe for you. Always read the label on the product itself and follow the advice of your doctor, allergist or dermatologist. If someone shows signs of anaphylaxis, use their adrenaline auto-injector if they have one and call emergency services.
Scan labels with IngrediLens
Point your iPhone camera at a food or cosmetic ingredient list and IngrediLens highlights the allergens and ingredients you chose to avoid, including other names like the ones on this page. Free to start, no account, and your data stays on your device.
Download on the App Store