YenzoWhat is E904 (shellac)?
Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists the function of Shellac (INS 904) as: glazing agent.
E904Shellac
E904 is Shellac. Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists its function as glazing agent.
Did you know? Shellac starts with lac insects living on tree branches; the branches are cut into lengths of about 20 cm ("sticklac"), crushed, sieved and water-rinsed, then dried into seedlac. Refined shellac is made from seedlac by one of two processes: chemical bleaching with sodium hypochlorite or physical decolouring with activated carbon (according to information from business operators submitted to EFSA).
- Code
- E904 · INS 904
- Group
- Glazing agent
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalevery low?Based on the Open Food Facts additives taxonomy
How E904 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, glazing agent (904), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
glazing agent (904)glazing agent 904E904INS 904On Vietnamese labels: Shellac tẩy trắng
Shellac in food
Fresh fruit (surface treatment)
Chocolate productsConfectioneryChewing gumSmall chocolate-coated bakery productsUnpeeled boiled eggs
Coffee beans
Potato, cereal and starch snacksProcessed nuts
Questions about shellac
Is shellac harmful?
In 2024 EFSA set an ADI of 4 mg/kg body weight per day for wax-free shellac produced by physical decolouring. For chemically bleached shellac the ADI is only temporary, pending data on organochlorine impurities, and it does not apply to wax-containing shellac. In some age groups the 95th-percentile intake exceeded the ADI in two exposure scenarios; EFSA judged the exceedance low and the calculation conservative, so it did not indicate a safety concern.
Is E904 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Shellac (INS 904) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food.
Other glazing agents
E901Beeswaxvery lowE902Candelilla waxvery lowE903Carnauba waxvery lowE905Microcrystalline waxlowE907Hydrogenated poly-1-decenelowE912Montan acid esterslow
See all glazing agents →Found in these products
Updated 21 October 2026
Sources (3)
- Open Food Facts additives taxonomy (Yenzo's table cites no EFSA opinion for this code). Open Food Facts additives taxonomy, https://github.com/openfoodfacts/openfoodfacts-server/blob/main/taxonomies/additives.txt (entry en:e904)
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 1
- EFSA Journal (2024). Re-evaluation of shellac (E 904) as a food additive and a new application on the extension of use of shellac (E 904) in dietary foods for special medical purposes