Is Shellac (E904) Vegan?

Vegan status: Not Vegan

E-number: E904

Also known as: Lac resin, Confectioner's glaze, Resinous glaze, Natural glaze

Source

A resin secreted by the female lac bug (Kerria lacca) found in forests of India and Thailand. Harvested from the bark of trees where bugs deposit the resin.

Commonly found in

Shiny coatings on sweets (jelly beans, chocolate-covered nuts), fruit wax coating (apples, citrus), pharmaceutical tablet coatings, nail polish.

Vegan alternative: Carnauba wax (E903) for food glazing.

Notes

The 'confectioner's glaze' on Jelly Belly jelly beans is shellac. Shiny apples in supermarkets are often coated with shellac. E904 on the label means shellac.