Is shellac (E904) halal?
Yes, for most authorities. Shellac (E904), also sold as confectioner's glaze or resinous glaze, is a resin secreted by the lac insect, and SANHA lists it as halal. It is not a slaughter product, so most certifiers accept it, but the rest of the sweet, such as gelatin, carmine or alcohol-based flavours, still needs checking.
Last checked November 2, 2026. Muzzmi describes the standards and where views differ. It does not give religious rulings.
What shellac is and where it hides
Shellac is a natural resin that the lac insect deposits on trees in India and Thailand. Food makers dissolve it and spray it on as a thin, shiny, protective coat. On labels it appears as shellac, E904, confectioner's glaze, resinous glaze, pharmaceutical glaze or lac resin.
You will find it on jelly beans, chocolate-coated sweets, sprinkles, some chewing gum, the wax on citrus fruit and apples, coffee beans, and the shiny coating on tablets and capsules. The UK Food Standards Agency lists E904 as an approved glazing agent.
What certifiers say
SANHA, the South African National Halaal Authority, lists E904 shellac as halal on its E-number pages rather than on its list of doubtful (mashbooh) additives. The reasoning is that shellac is a secretion, like beeswax or silk, not the body of the insect, and that no slaughter is involved.
Why some people still avoid it
The hesitation comes from the insect origin. Carmine (E120) is made from the crushed bodies of cochineal insects, and many Hanafi scholars say eating insects is not allowed. Shellac is treated differently because it is a secretion rather than the insect itself, the same distinction scholars draw for honey. People who avoid every insect-derived additive avoid shellac as well; if that is your standard, look for sweets glazed with carnauba wax, a plant wax. Read the comparison in Is carmine halal?.
Shellac vs carmine vs gelatin
Shellac (E904): an insect secretion, listed halal by SANHA. Carmine (E120): crushed insects, scholars differ. Gelatin (E441): boiled animal skin and bone, halal only from fish or zabiha-slaughtered animals. See Is gelatin halal?.
How to check a product fast
A shellac coating does not make the rest of a sweet halal. Jelly beans, for example, often combine confectioner's glaze with gelatin, and red ones may use carmine. Scan the barcode with Muzzmi's free label scanner: it flags gelatin, carmine, alcohol and the other ingredients that depend on their source. Two favourites to compare: Skittles and Starburst.
Questions
Is E904 halal?
E904 is the E-number for shellac. SANHA lists it as halal because it is a resin the lac insect secretes, not the insect itself, and no slaughter is involved.
Is confectioner's glaze the same as shellac?
Yes. Confectioner's glaze, resinous glaze and pharmaceutical glaze are food-grade shellac dissolved in alcohol and sprayed on as a coating. The alcohol evaporates as the coat dries and leaves the resin.
Why is carmine treated differently from shellac?
Carmine is made from the crushed bodies of cochineal insects, so scholars who do not allow eating insects avoid it. Shellac is a secretion, which scholars compare with honey and silk.
Is shellac vegan?
No. Shellac is an animal product because it comes from an insect, so vegan labels avoid it. Vegan sweets usually use carnauba wax, a plant wax, for the same shine.
Are candies with shellac automatically halal?
No. The glaze is only one ingredient. Check the sweet for gelatin, carmine and alcohol-based flavourings, or scan the barcode with Muzzmi's scanner.
Sources
More guides
Is it halal? Chains and certifiers · Halal food by city · Scan a barcode