E904 - Shellac
By the Daat team · Updated October 30, 2026
E904 is shellac, a resin made by the lac insect. It gives sweets and fruit a shiny coat.
The same material used to make wood varnish. On coated sweets, chocolate buttons and shiny citrus fruit, this may be it.
11 products in our catalog contain E904, or 0.1% of those with an ingredient list. Most of them are chocolate and sweets.
E904 at a glance
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Shellac |
| Function | Glazing agent |
| Origin | Insect |
| Vegan / vegetarian | No / Yes |
Is E904 vegan?
Not for vegans. Vegetarians generally do eat it.