E904 — Shellac

Shellac: a resin secreted by the lac insect (Kerria lacca), so it is not vegan. It is used as a glazing agent on sweets, chocolate, food-supplement tablets, coffee beans and the skin of some fresh fruit. EFSA's 2024 re-evaluation set an acceptable daily intake of 4 mg/kg bw/day for wax-free shellac, temporary for chemically bleached shellac until data on its organochlorine impurities are provided. High-end intake estimates slightly exceeded it for some age groups, which EFSA did not consider a safety concern given its conservative assumptions.