Shellac is found in many foods and makeup. It comes from a beetle’s special secretions. Some folks who follow certain eating rules, like halal or haram, want to know if shellac is okay for them.
The answer is no because shellac comes from a bug, bugs are not allowed in these diets. So for people who follow these rules, like Muslims, shellac is off the menu.
Shellac & Its Source
Shellac is a special goo made by a bug found in India and Thailand’s trees. People clean it and turn it into different forms like flakes or powder.
You can find shellac in many places.
It is used to flavor food, make wood look nice, and protect things like phones. It is even in some hair products and nail polish. Isn’t that neat?
Is Shellac in Donuts Halal?
If you are glazing food with Shellac and using alcohol to mix it, that is a no-go for Halal! But do not worry. There is a simple fix. Just use pure Shellac without any alcohol. Why? Shellac comes from bugs, and that’s Halal. Alcohol? Not so much.
When it is all mixed, the alcohol dries up, but it still makes the whole glazing process non-Halal. Stick with the pure stuff, and you’ll be in the clear.
Is There Any Alcohol in Shellac?
Shellac is mainly made of acids like pleuritic, Alaric, and shellac. It’s either sold as dry bits or mixed with alcohol to create a liquid.
This liquid is multi-purpose. You can use it as a colouring agent, food glaze, or even as a finish for wood, making it shiny and polished. It’s the ultimate tool for adding sparkle to many things.
Is Shellac Suitable for Vegetarian?
A while ago, people who only ate vegetarian food thought that products with something called Shellac were fine for them.
But nothing about how Shellac is made has changed, and the things inside our products are the same.
Some might now say these products are not good for vegetarians. It is like saying you do not like your favourite ice cream anymore, even though the ice cream has not changed.
Wrapping Up!
The Quran and Sunnah are like guidebooks for Muslims. They say if you mix shellac with alcohol and bug parts, it is not allowed. But if you keep the bugs and leave out the alcohol while making the shellac, then it is okay to use.
Still, it is always best to ask an Islamic expert from your thinking to make sure. They can help you understand the rules from the Quran and Sunnah.
