Comparing E210 - Benzoic acid vs E904 - Shellac

Overview

E210 - Benzoic acid

Benzoic acid (E210) is a preservative used to help keep acidic foods and drinks safe and fresh by slowing the growth of yeasts, molds, and some bacteria. It occurs naturally in small amounts in some berries and fermented foods, and is also made for food use under strict purity standards.

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E904 - Shellac

Shellac (E904) is a food-grade glaze that gives candies, nuts, and some fruits a smooth, shiny finish. It is a purified natural resin made from the secretions of the lac insect and is approved in many regions as a surface treatment for foods.

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Synonyms
E210
Benzoic acid
E904
Shellac
Bleached shellac
Functions
preservative
glazing agent
Origins
Plant
Synthetic
Animal
Products

Found in 386 products

Found in 1,341 products

Search rank & volume
#7533.2K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#8329.3K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×12.42
over-aware

×3.18
over-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

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Popular questions

  1. Is benzoic acid soluble in water?

    Only sparingly—about 3 g per liter at room temperature; its solubility increases in hot water and it dissolves readily in many organic solvents.

  2. Is benzoic acid polar?

    It has a polar carboxyl group but a nonpolar aromatic ring, so overall it’s only weakly polar; its benzoate salt is much more polar and water‑soluble.

  3. Is benzoic acid a strong acid?

    No—it's a weak acid, with a pKa of about 4.2.

  4. What is the melting point of benzoic acid?

    About 122–123 °C (251–253 °F).

  5. Is benzoic acid bad for you?

    At approved food levels it’s considered safe, with an ADI of 0–5 mg/kg body weight/day; some people may experience irritation or hypersensitivity, and benzene formation in certain acidic drinks is monitored and kept very low.

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  1. What is shellac nails?

    In beauty, “shellac nails” are a UV-cured hybrid gel-polish service (e.g., CND Shellac); despite the name, it does not use the food additive shellac (E904) resin used as a glaze.

  2. How to remove shellac nail polish?

    Soak the nails in acetone for about 10–15 minutes (using cotton and foil or remover wraps), then gently push off the softened coating—do not peel to avoid nail damage.

  3. Is shellac the same as gel?

    Not exactly—Shellac is a specific brand of gel-polish hybrid, while “gel” can refer broadly to many soak-off UV/LED gel systems; they cure similarly and have comparable wear.

  4. What is a shellac manicure?

    A manicure using a UV/LED-cured gel-polish system branded “Shellac” for long-lasting color; it’s unrelated to the food glazing agent shellac (E904).

  5. What are shellac nails?

    They are nails coated with a UV-cured gel-polish branded “Shellac” for chip-resistant wear, not coated with the food additive shellac (E904) used in food glazes.

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