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E904 Shellac: Glazing Agent in Food Products

E904, known as shellac, is a natural resin used as a glazing and coating agent on sweets, fresh fruit, and pharmaceutical tablets in the EU.

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Things worth knowing about "E904"

E904, known as shellac, is a natural resin used as a glazing and coating agent on sweets, fresh fruit, and pharmaceutical tablets in the EU.

What is E904 (Shellac)?

E904, commonly known as shellac, is a natural resin secreted by the female lac bug (Kerria lacca), an insect that lives primarily on trees in South and Southeast Asia. Shellac has been used for centuries as a varnish, adhesive, and sealant, and it is now well established as a food and pharmaceutical additive.

Production and Properties

Female lac bugs secrete a resinous substance that coats the branches of host trees. This secretion is harvested, refined, and processed into shellac flakes or dissolved in alcohol to form a liquid coating. Key properties of shellac include:

Insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol
Thermoplastic (can be shaped when heated)
Biodegradable and of natural origin
Tasteless and odorless when used as a food additive

Use in Food Products

In the food industry, E904 is used as a glazing and coating agent. Typical applications include:

Hard candies, dragees, and chocolate confectionery
Fresh citrus fruits, apples, and other produce (as a surface treatment to extend shelf life)
Bakery products and snack items
Vitamin tablets and dietary supplements (as a film coating)

The shellac coating protects food products from moisture loss, mechanical damage, and premature spoilage. It also gives the surface a characteristic glossy appearance.

Regulatory Status

Shellac is approved for use in the European Union under Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 on food additives. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed shellac as safe for human consumption when used within the permitted quantities. Labeling requirements apply whenever shellac is used as a food additive in a product.

Animal-Derived Origin

Because shellac is produced by insects, it is not considered vegan. Consumers following a vegan or insect-free diet should avoid products containing E904. The animal-derived nature of shellac may also be relevant in the context of certain religious dietary guidelines.

Safety and Tolerability

Shellac is generally considered well tolerated. Allergic reactions are very rare but possible. There are no known serious health risks associated with consuming shellac in food at typical levels. EFSA has not raised concerns regarding genotoxicity or carcinogenicity of shellac used as a food additive.

References

European Commission: Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 on food additives. Official Journal of the European Union, 2008.
EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources (ANS): Re-evaluation of shellac (E 904) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 2012;10(3):2589.
Burdock, G.A.: Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. 6th ed. CRC Press, 2010.

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