Glazing agent, gas or sweetener
Is E904 (Shellac) halal?
The shine on chocolate raisins, jelly beans and coated tablets comes from a resin secreted by the lac insect. Whether that makes it haram is a live disagreement between certifiers — we show each position.
An insect resin used to make sweets and pills shiny. JAKIM and BPJPH reject it as haram; HalalExpo's guide lists it as always-haram; HalalCodeCheck treats it as doubtful; MuslimConsumerGroup permits it when not alcohol-treated. No consensus exists.
The detail
Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac insect, harvested from trees in South Asia. Two separate questions attach to it: whether an insect-derived substance is permissible at all, and whether the alcohol used to dissolve some food-grade shellac changes the ruling. The positions in our registry genuinely conflict. HalalExpo's E-numbers guide names E904 one of four additives to always avoid, and its checker records rejection by JAKIM and BPJPH. HalalCodeCheck lists it as mushbooh — avoid unless confirmed. MuslimConsumerGroup permits shellac that has not been treated with alcohol, while noting an alcohol-treated type exists. Halal Authority India lists it as conditional on the same alcohol-treatment ground. This is a case to take to your own certifier.
What the sources say
These positions genuinely conflict. We report each one; we do not pick a winner.
The four E-numbers Muslim consumers must avoid are E120 (carmine, insect-derived), E441 (animal gelatine), E542 (bone phosphate), and E904 (shellac).
Rejected as haram by JAKIM and BPJPH. ... Haram — insect-derived.
insect resin (treated as doubtful/avoid)
Halal if no if it is not treated with alcohol, two types of shellac is available, the Halal type is not treated with alcohol but other type is treated with alcohol.
Halal if no if it is not treated with alcohol, two types of shellac is available, the Halal type is not treated with alcohol but other type is treated with alcohol.
Where you will run into it
- Chocolate-covered nuts and raisins
- Jelly beans and coated sweets
- Apples and citrus (wax coating)
- Coated tablets and pills
- Nail polish
How to check it yourself
If you follow JAKIM/BPJPH or the HalalExpo position, avoid E904, 'confectioner's glaze' and 'pharmaceutical glaze' outright. If you follow the MuslimConsumerGroup position, the question to the manufacturer is whether the shellac was alcohol-treated.
Quick facts
| E-number | E904 |
|---|---|
| Name | Shellac |
| Also on labels as | shellac, confectioner's glaze, confectioners glaze, pharmaceutical glaze, lac resin, beetlejuice |
| Additive class | Glazing agent, gas or sweetener |
| Classification | Scholarly disagreement |
| Last verified | 2026-08-21 |
Common questions
Is E904 (Shellac) halal?
Shellac is classified as Scholarly disagreement. An insect resin used to make sweets and pills shiny. JAKIM and BPJPH reject it as haram; HalalExpo's guide lists it as always-haram; HalalCodeCheck treats it as doubtful; MuslimConsumerGroup permits it when not alcohol-treated. No consensus exists.
Is Shellac halal or haram?
On the evidence cited on this page, Shellac is scholarly disagreement. Reputable authorities disagree — positions shown, not resolved Every position is attributed to a named certifier or scholarly body with a link, so you can verify it directly.
What else is Shellac called on ingredient labels?
It can appear as: shellac, confectioner's glaze, confectioners glaze, pharmaceutical glaze, lac resin, beetlejuice.
Why isn't there a single yes/no answer for E904?
Because the ruling depends on information the label does not carry — the source material, the production route, or which scholarly position you follow. This page shows each named position with a link so you can check it yourself.
Where does this page's information come from?
Every position on this page is attributed to a named certifier or scholarly body with a direct link, listed under 'What the sources say'. Muttoo aggregates and cites; it does not issue rulings.
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Record e904-shellac · last verified 2026-08-21 · report an error