Glazing agent
E904 (shellac): what it is, its sources, vegan or not
E904 is shellac, a glazing agent made from lac insects. Vegan and vegetarian profiles get Not for you.
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By Bravoora teamUpdated Sources checked 4 sourcesHow we check
Not for you
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E904=lac insects
What is E904?
E904 (shellac) is a glazing agent, an additive that gives the outside of a food a shine or a protective coat.
Full guide: Shellac (E904)
What is E904 made from?
Made from a resin produced by lac insects.
- Lac insectsRead the shellac guide
Is E904 vegan?
Not for you. E904 comes from lac insects. Insects count as animal.
Bravoora is a calorie tracker and ingredient checker app. Scan a pack, a supplement or a skincare label and it answers for each person on your plan.
What the app says to each profile, and the reason it shows.
What other names does E904 have on a label?
Any of these on a pack means E904. The checker reads them all.
What would change the answer for E904?
Nothing on the pack changes the answer. E904 is always from lac insects. A recipe that drops the code would.
Sources: EU, US and Codex additive rules
Where additives are listed and approved. Bravoora reads the source and the diet; it does not rate the hazard.
- EU Regulation 1333/2008 on food additives (the E-number list)
- EU Regulation 1169/2011, Annex II: the allergen sources a label must name
- US FDA: Food Additive Status List
- FAO/WHO Codex: General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) online
Names and classes cross-checked with Open Food Facts (Open Database License).
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