Abstract: Emulsions of lipophiles such as glycerol monostearate which are compatible with acrylic copolymer emulsions are made stable by using an emulsion stabilizer such as polysorbate 80 in an amount by weight between 1% and 5% of the lipophile and homogenizing the emulsion wherein the emulsion micelles are less than 50 microns. The ability to make a stable emulsion of a lipophile is important in the coating process as it enables preparation and shipment of the lipophilic emulsion to the coater rather than the preparation of a lipophilic emulsion at the time of the coating process which involves a heating and cooling process.

Abstract: A coating composition for use in coating foods, confections, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals is comprised of shellac in aqueous solution, a hydrolyzed starch product having a dextrose equivalent of 10 or greater and an effective amount of a plasticizer. The coating composition provides a surprisingly high gloss coating. The edible film coating composition solution may be stabilized by adding an effective amount of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid salt wherein the solution may remain stable for at least three months. The ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid salt may include disodium, trisodium and tetrasodium salts of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid. Preferably, the concentration of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid is about 0.5% to 2% of the solution.