Shellac unexpected…
However strange it may sound, shellac is a natural resin that is so non toxic that it’s edible!
Not many know that the resin produced by the ‘lac bug’ to make cocoons on trees in south east Asia, just as silk is produced by silkworms, can be eaten with no harm, and after taking out other organic materials such as leaves and twigs.
Many actually don’t know that they eat shellac regularly, by ingesting common products such as apples, pills, candies (many are sprayed with shellac to make them shiny), granola bars (where shellac also helps to keep the various components together, like natural and edible glue), even some toys are coated with shellac to preserve children’s health. They cannot be in danger of getting poisoned by furniture surfaces if they are coated with pure and natural shellac. And because shellac is melted in alcohol, it’s even safer.
That’s why shellac as a coating for products and in food has the FDA approval.
While I wouldn’t suggest to have a meal based on the shellac flakes that we use for polishing our English antiques, it’s always nice to be able to say to our clients, many of which have children, that the finish that we use is so clean and non toxic that it’s even edible! And it’s a fact!
