Scholars differ
- Usually made from
- Insects
- Used as
- glazing agent
- Vegan
- No
Made from insects; scholars and certifiers disagree about it.
What is E904?
Shellac is a resin secreted by the lac insect on the branches of certain trees. The crude lac is crushed, washed and refined, either by chemical bleaching or by dissolving it in ethanol and removing the colour. It is usually sprayed onto food dissolved in ethanol or an alkaline solution.
Why it's marked “Scholars differ”
Shellac comes from an insect, and most schools of Islamic law do not permit eating insects other than locusts. The disagreement is whether a resin the insect secretes falls under that rule. The ethanol used to refine and apply it evaporates, but some people take that into account too.
Where views differ
Some scholars accept shellac because it is a resin the insect secretes, not its flesh, and compare it to honey made by bees. Others treat any product of an insect as not permissible to eat. A halal certificate shows that the certifier has checked the glaze under the view it follows.
How to check the label
Look for a halal certificate from a recognised body, or a vegan mark, which excludes shellac. It may appear as E904, shellac or simply “glazing agent”; if the glaze is not named, ask the manufacturer.
Where you'll find it
- chocolate sweets
- coated sweets
- chewing gum
- coffee beans
- fresh fruit coatings
- food supplement tablets
Good to know
- In 2024 EFSA set an acceptable daily intake of 4 mg/kg body weight for wax-free shellac made by physical decolouring; the same value is temporary for chemically bleached shellac.
- EU specifications describe it as the purified and bleached resin of the insect Laccifer (Tachardia) lacca; label synonyms include bleached shellac and white shellac.
Similar additives
See all 89 E-numbers in the halal checker
This list describes where additives usually come from. It isn't a religious ruling, and manufacturers can change their sources. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026.
Sources
- EFSA re-evaluation of shellac E 904 (2024)
- EU additive specifications, Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 (E 904)
Frequently asked questions
Is shellac halal?
Scholars differ. Shellac comes from an insect, and most schools of Islamic law do not permit eating insects other than locusts. The disagreement is whether a resin the insect secretes falls under that rule. The ethanol used to refine and apply it evaporates, but some people take that into account too.
What is E904 made from?
Shellac is a resin secreted by the lac insect on the branches of certain trees. The crude lac is crushed, washed and refined, either by chemical bleaching or by dissolving it in ethanol and removing the colour. It is usually sprayed onto food dissolved in ethanol or an alkaline solution.
Is E904 vegan?
No. E904 comes from an animal source.