Tag: E904

Approximately 300,000 female lac bugs are required to produce just one kilogram of E904, a food additive commonly known as shellac. Often labeled as 'confectioner's glaze' or 'resinous glaze,' understanding the origin of this shiny ingredient is crucial for many consumers.

Shellac, also known as confectioner’s glaze or E904, is a resin secreted by the female lac bug. This shiny, protective coating is commonly used on hard-shelled candies and certain chocolates, but its insect origin raises questions for those on a vegetarian or vegan diet. The answer to whether shellac in chocolate is vegetarian depends largely on one's personal interpretation of vegetarianism, though it is universally considered non-vegan.

Millions of lac bugs are used to produce the resin known as shellac for many products, including some confections. This makes it crucial to know what candies still use shellac, also known as confectioner's glaze, for those with dietary restrictions or ethical concerns.

The simple act of enjoying a candy can become a dietary dilemma for vegetarians, with many popular sweets containing hidden animal-derived ingredients. This confusion is particularly prominent around the question, 'Are Nestle Smarties vegetarian or non veg?', due to a surprising difference between the product in North America and its chocolaty counterpart internationally.