Shellac

Also known as: orange shellac, lac resin, confectioner’s resin, confectioner’s glaze, resinous glaze, candy glaze, pure food glaze, natural glaze, lacca, E904

Commercial source: animal (insect)

Used on: fruit, vegetables, nuts, confections, chocolate, coffee beans, pharmaceuticals

Definition: The purified product of a natural resin found on tree branches as a hardened secretion of a small, parasitic insect (Kerria lacca). Its major food use is as a coating on produce or candy.

Category: Vegetarian (not vegan)

Updated: December 2025

More information: USDA

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