As a subject matter expert in the field of materials and their sources, I can provide you with an explanation regarding the composition of shellac and why it is not considered vegetarian.

Shellac is a natural resin secreted by the lac bug, which is a small insect that lives on trees in certain parts of Asia. The process of collecting shellac involves the lac bug feeding on the sap of the tree and excreting a resin that hardens on contact with air. This resin is then collected and processed to produce shellac, which is used in various industries, including the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries, as well as in the production of furniture and other wooden items.

The reason shellac is not considered vegetarian is that it is derived from an animal source, specifically the lac bug. Vegetarian diets typically exclude any products derived from animals, and since shellac is a byproduct of an insect, it falls outside the scope of what is considered vegetarian. Additionally, some vegetarians may also choose to avoid products that involve harm to animals, and the process of collecting shellac could be seen as involving harm to the lac bugs, even though it is not intentionally killed during the process.

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Shellac is made from the secretions of the lac beetle and is not vegan because it comes from this small animal. The beetles secrete the resin on tree branches in Southeast Asia as a protective shell for their larvae. The males fly away, but the females stay behind.read more >>