Is E904 (Shellac) Halal?
Doubtful — depends on source
E904 (Shellac) is a resin secreted by the lac insect and used as a glaze; scholars differ on insect secretions, so it is treated as doubtful (mushbooh).
What is E904?
Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac insect on trees, refined into flakes and dissolved to make a food glaze. It gives a shiny coating to sweets, chocolates and coated tablets, and is used to wax some fruits.
The lac resin is scraped from tree branches, purified and processed into shellac. As a food glaze it is usually dissolved in ethanol and applied as a thin coating (the solvent evaporates).
Why is it doubtful (mushbooh)?
Shellac is treated as doubtful because scholars differ on insect secretions: some permit it by analogy with honey (a product secreted by an insect, not the insect's body), while others avoid it because it is insect-derived and may carry insect fragments. A further point to check is that food-grade shellac is typically applied using an ethanol carrier; opinions differ on residual solvent. Given the disagreement, the cautious approach is to verify or avoid.
Commonly found in
It may be found in — this does not mean every product below contains it.
- Coated chocolates and sweets (shiny shells)
- Chewing gum
- Coated tablets and supplements
- Wax coatings on some fruits
How it appears on labels
ShellacE904Glazing agent (E904)Confectioner's glazeINS number: 904
How to verify a product in Singapore
- Ingredient-level guidance is not halal certification — check the complete product, not just this ingredient.
- Look for recognised halal certification, and check the finished product on the official MUIS HalalSG register.
- When the source or processing aids are unclear, contact the manufacturer.
In Singapore, verify the finished product on the MUIS HalalSG register. Where a product is certified, the glaze will have been assessed; otherwise contact the manufacturer if you are unsure about the glaze.
Check MUIS HalalSGSources: EFSA, FAO/WHO, MUIS · Last reviewed: July 2026 · This guidance is not certification.
Frequently asked questions
Is E904 (shellac) halal?
Scholars differ. Some permit it as an insect secretion (like honey); others avoid it as insect-derived. It is treated as doubtful, so verify or choose a plant/beeswax glaze if you follow the stricter view.
Is shellac made from insects?
It is a resin secreted by the lac insect, refined into a glaze. It is a secretion rather than the insect's body, which is why scholars differ on it.
What are alternatives to shellac?
Carnauba wax (E903, plant) and beeswax (E901) are common glazing alternatives.
What names should I look for?
'Shellac', 'E904', 'Confectioner's glaze' or 'Glazing agent (E904)'.
Related ingredients
Sources & methodology
- Shellac (E 904) — food additive information — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · Insect-secretion origin and use as a glaze
- General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) Online Database — Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) · Approved uses and INS number
- Halal Certification — HalalSG — Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) · Glaze is assessed during product certification
Humble Halal methodology: we classify additives by their common origin, not by any specific product. A generally-halal ingredient does not make a finished product halal-certified. This page is general guidance, not certification or religious/legal advice — always verify the complete product. Last reviewed July 2026.