E904 — Shellac
Glazing agent - shiny coating on sweets and pills
Also known as: Shellac · Lac Resin · Confectioner's Glaze · Pharmaceutical Glaze
Verification required
Verify — Mushbooh
Source-dependent and requires verification. This additive may be derived from either halal (plant/synthetic) or haraam (animal) sources. Always check the product label or contact the manufacturer to verify the source.
Checking this in a shop right now?
Vegan / vegetarian label on pack → plant-based source → safe for this code
HFA / HMC / IFANCA / JAKIM logo → independently certified → safe
Neither? Follow the steps below.
School of Thought Breakdown
Hanafi
Verify source
Maliki
May permit
Shafi'i
Avoid if animal
Hanbali
Avoid if animal
Haraam under Hanafi, Maliki and Shafi'i schools as it is an insect secretion. Some contemporary scholars distinguish between the insect itself and its secretion - consult your scholar.
What to do with this product
Follow these steps in order — most products resolve at step 1 or 2
Check for a "suitable for vegans" or "suitable for vegetarians" claim
If present, E904 comes from a plant-based source — safe for this code. Still check all other ingredients too.
Look for a halal certification logo on the pack
An HFA, HMC, IFANCA, JAKIM, or ESMA logo means the source has been independently audited. The E-code is confirmed halal in this product.
Neither? Here's what to do next:
Put it back and look for a certified alternative on the same shelf.
Check for products carrying an HFA, HMC, or IFANCA logo, or labelled "suitable for vegans". Either confirms a safe source.
Did you find a certified alternative?
Halal-certified sweets — free from E904:
Browse halal alternatives on AmazonAmazon Associate — we earn from qualifying purchases.
About E904
Miscellaneous - glazing agents glazing with shellac is not Halal because alcohol is used to dissolve the shellac and then evaporate before glazing on food products. Pure shellac without alcohol is Halal because it is a insect secretion.
Verification Required
This additive's halal status depends on its source. Check the product label for a halal certification mark, or contact the manufacturer directly.
What is E904 made from?
- secretion of the lac insect (Kerria lacca)
Foods that commonly contain E904
Always check the ingredient label on the specific product - manufacturers may change formulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is E904 (Shellac) halal?
E904 (Shellac) is classified as Mushbooh (Questionable). Source-dependent and requires verification. This additive may be derived from either halal (plant/synthetic) or haraam (animal) sources. Always check the product label or contact the manufacturer to verify the source.
What is E904 used for?
E904 is used as a glazing agent - shiny coating on sweets and pills in food products.
What foods contain E904?
E904 (Shellac) is commonly found in: shiny jelly beans, chocolate-coated sweets, some fresh fruit (apple wax coating), medicine tablet coatings.
What is E904 made from?
E904 can be derived from the following sources: secretion of the lac insect (Kerria lacca).
What are the other names for E904?
E904 may appear on food labels as: Shellac, Lac Resin, Confectioner's Glaze, Pharmaceutical Glaze.
surface coating agents, gases, sweeteners — 32 E-codes: 25 Halal, 2 Haraam, 5 Mushbooh
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This information is for educational purposes only. For religious rulings, consult a qualified Islamic scholar or halal certification authority. E-code classifications may vary by source, manufacturing process, and school of thought.