Shellac is insect-derived — refined from lac insect secretions gathered from host trees. Vegan standards exclude it; many vegetarian standards also exclude it because part of the insect population is killed during harvesting. It hides in plain sight as confectioner's glaze on candy and as the shine on coated tablets, coffee beans and post-harvest fruit.
What it means for each mark
- VeganInsect-derived — excluded from vegan claims in every application.
- VegetarianTreated case by case: harvesting lac resin kills part of the insect colony, so many vegetarian standards exclude it; the glaze's identity is documented either way.
Where it typically hides
- Candy shells listed as confectioner's glaze
- Chocolate-covered nuts, raisins and coffee beans
- Coated tablets and supplements (pharmaceutical glaze)
- Post-harvest coatings on citrus and apples
What a certification review asks for
- The glaze or coating specification naming the additive — E904 (shellac) vs E901 (beeswax) vs E903 (carnauba)
- Post-harvest coating statements for whole-fruit ingredients
- The tablet-coating composition for supplements in scope
Alternatives
- Carnauba wax (E903)
- Candelilla wax (E902)
- Rice bran wax
- Zein (corn protein) coatings
- HPMC-based tablet coatings
Frequently asked questions
Is confectioner's glaze vegan?
No. Confectioner's glaze is shellac, a resin from the lac insect, and vegan standards exclude insect-derived ingredients.
Is shellac vegetarian?
Standards differ. Because harvesting lac resin kills part of the insect colony, many vegetarian standards exclude shellac; others review it case by case against their published criteria.
What names does shellac use on labels?
Shellac, E904, confectioner's glaze, pharmaceutical glaze and lac resin.