What Is E904 Food Additive and What Is It Used For?

To learn about E904 food additive, the core is to understand “E904” while food additive is an easier conception. So, first let’s analyze the two notions “ E904” and “ food additive” respectively.

What does “E904” mean?

Food additives are synthetic or natural substances added to food to enhance quality, appearance, and taste, preserve freshness, and facilitate the processing of food. They include nutritional fortifiers, flavor enhancers, base materials in confectionery, and processing aids for the food industry.

E-codes are the food labels compiled by the European Union to indicate various food additives. These codes change over time with advancements in chemical technology and medical discoveries. It's important to note that not all E-coded food additives are approved for use in all countries. Some additives approved in Australia and New Zealand may not be permitted in the EU, and vice versa. Additionally, certain E-coded additives banned in advanced countries like the EU, the US, and Japan may still be used in some Asian countries.

Below we will introduce the food additives under different number ranges briefly so that you will have a better understanding when we talk about e904 food additives later.

1. Colorants (E100 - 199)

2. Preservatives (E200 - 299)

3. Antioxidants and Acidity Regulators (E300 - 399)

4. Thickeners, Stabilizers, and Emulsifiers (E400 - 499)

5. pH Adjusters and Anti-caking Agents (E500 - 599)

6. Flavor Enhancers

7. Antibiotics (E700 - 799)

8. Glazing Agents, Gases, and Sweeteners (E900 - 999)

9. Other Additives (E1100 - 1599)

Based on the above information about E100-E1599 food additives we have collected, you should understand well that the E904 food additive belongs to the range of glazing agents.

What is E904 food additive?

E904 food additive is actually shellac which is a kind of natural resin generated by Laccifer laccas which mainly parasitizes some tropical and subtropical trees in Southeast Asia and India. Internationally, it is known as the E904 food additive, referring to the flame retardant and glazing ingredients. The first usage of this resin could date back to 1000 years B.C. ago.

Shellac food additive belongs to aromatic and fatty hydroxy acids and esters like aluretic and shellolic when analyzed anatomically. This compound contains lactones, pigments, and insect wax, with the main active ingredient resin making up 80-90% of E60 additives.

Typically, it is used in practical production in the shape of thin sheets. Shellac is insoluble in water, fats, acetone, and ether, while it showcases moderate solubility in alkalis and fatty alcohols and moderate solubility in benzene and ethanol. Shellac has a melting point of 80℃, and nice properties of water resistance, light resistance, and electrical insulating properties.

What is the E904 food additive used for?

E904 food additive is used as a glazing and defoaming ingredient in some food: It is used to treat the surface of fresh fruits like oranges, peaches, pears, apples, and melons; it is also used as coating in candies, chocolates, flour products coated with sugar, coffee, chewing, and else.  

Besides, it also be found the application in the pharmacy as the glazing coating of some tablets and pills.

Is E904 a food additive, or is shellac only used in the food industry as an additive?

Absolutely NO!

What is shellac used for in other industries?

Shellac is used to produce oil paints, varnishes, and polishes for wooden musical instruments and furniture. It was also used to manufacture the records before the invention of vinyl in the 1940s.

Shellac is also a key component in polyethylene film and aluminum foil. It helps to stiffen textiles and serves as an electrical insulating varnish for coils and electronic components.

Additionally, it finds application in the beauty industry, with some cosmetics and nail polishes containing it.

So far, there is not enough evidence to prove that shellac, or E904 food additive is unsafe when used in food production, and it is derived from natural resin, therefore, we can see it is taken as a big selling point on many products.

Conclusion:

Now we can get the conclusion that the E904 food additive, commonly known as shellac, is a versatile food additive derived from natural resin generated by insects. It found wide application of this substance in various industries: glazing agents in the food industry, coating of pills in pharmacies, paints in wooden musical instruments and furniture industry as well as electronic devices and cosmetics.