Shellac

Natural resinous secretion of the lac insect (Kerria lacca), refined to food-grade shellac flake, powder, or alcoholic solution. Used as a glazing agent in confectionery and pharmaceutical tablet coating, providing the high gloss characteristic of jelly beans and panned candies.

Yellow to orange flake, button, or powder. Soluble in ethanol and alkaline solutions, insoluble in water and most other organic solvents. Forms a hard glossy film on drying.

We supply Food-Grade Shellac from manufacturers in China and Indian importing partners holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production.

Common market grades include Dewaxed Bleached Shellac for premium pharmaceutical and confectionery coating, Refined Orange Shellac for general food glazing, Dewaxed Orange Shellac for clear film applications, and pre-dissolved alcoholic Shellac Glaze solutions for direct application.

Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering acid value, iodine value, wax content, hot insoluble matter, and microbiology.

Shellac is secreted by the female lac insect Kerria lacca, which feeds on sap of tropical trees in India, Thailand, and other parts of South and Southeast Asia. The resin is scraped from twigs, heat-melted, filtered, and refined to commercial flake, button, or powder forms.

Food-grade refining involves dewaxing to remove the natural lac wax fraction, optional bleaching to lighten the orange color, and standardization to defined acid value, iodine value, and film-forming behavior. Bleached dewaxed grades are preferred for pharmaceutical and premium confectionery applications.

Regulated as E904 in the EU, classified as Generally Recognized as Safe by the U.S. FDA in defined applications, and approved by JECFA without a numerical Acceptable Daily Intake limit.

Shellac remains the dominant glazing resin for confectionery despite competition from carnauba wax and synthetic alternatives, because no other natural ingredient delivers the same combination of high gloss, hardness, and food-contact safety on small panned-candy pieces.

• Confectionery glazing for jelly beans, panned candies, chocolate-covered nuts, and gum
• Pharmaceutical tablet enteric coating and gloss finishing
• Food-grade fruit and vegetable surface coating; extends gloss and shelf life
• Coffee bean glazing for premium retail presentation
• Pet food and treat coatings
• Specialty bakery glazes and decorations
• Wood finishing and French polish manufacture
• Electrical insulation and specialty industrial coatings