My diet:

E235 Natamycin

E235PreservativesOrigin: Fermented
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The short answer
Natamycin (E235) is an antifungal that keeps mold off cheese and sausage. It's barely absorbed and safe at food levels, but it's also an eye medicine, which raises questions about overuse.
Use in moderation

Safe in small amounts; may bother some people or raise blood sugar.

E-numberE235
Comes fromFermented
What it doesPreservatives
Glycemic index—
Daily limit0.3 mg/kg
Also calledNatamycin, Pimaricin

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Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved with limits
🇪🇺 European UnionApproved with limits
🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved with limits
CaliforniaNo extra rules

Allowed in the US, EU and Canada, mainly on the surface of cheese and, in the EU, dry sausages. EFSA set a daily limit of 0.3 mg per kg of body weight.

How much is too much? (Acceptable Daily Intake)

21 mgper day is the safe upper limit

Based on 0.3 mg per kg of body weight (EFSA / JECFA). A 20 kg (44 lb) child: 6.0 mg a day.

What is it?

Natamycin kills mold and yeast but not bacteria, so it can sit on a cheese rind without stopping ripening. It stays mostly on the surface and very little reaches the body.

Where it comes from: Made by fermenting the soil bacterium Streptomyces natalensis.

Why it’s in food

  • Keeps mold off cheese rinds
  • Stops mold on dry sausages
  • Extends the shelf life of shredded cheese
  • Prevents mold in some yogurts and baked goods outside the EU

Often found in

Hard and semi-hard cheeseShredded cheeseDry-cured sausagesCottage cheeseSome yogurtsSome baked goods

Also listed as: Natamycin, Pimaricin, Natamax

Health & gut impact

AbsorptionConcern

Very little natamycin is absorbed from the gut, and food levels are far below medical doses.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2009)

Antifungal resistanceUnder study

Natamycin is also used to treat fungal eye infections. Some scientists question widening its use in food, though resistance hasn't been shown.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2009)

What can I use instead?

Wax or cloth rind

Ratio: To coat

Best for: Aged cheese

Sorbic acid

Ratio: To label

Best for: Sliced cheese

Related

Nisin vs Natamycin

More preservatives:

Calcium disodium EDTA (EDTA) E385Calcium disodium EDTA (E385) grabs stray metals so dressings, sodas and canned beans keep their color and flavor. Very little is absorbed, and it's safe in the small amounts allowed.Use in moderationCalcium Propionate E282Calcium propionate (E282) is the mold inhibitor in most packaged bread. It's considered safe, vegan and gluten-free, though a few small studies have raised questions about behavior in children and blood sugar.Use in moderationCelery powderCelery powder is how "uncured" bacon and hot dogs are cured. It's a natural source of nitrite, the same chemical as sodium nitrite, so "no nitrites added" meats aren't nitrite-free.Use in moderationLysozyme E1105Lysozyme (E1105) is an egg-white enzyme that stops gas-forming bacteria from cracking aged cheese. It's safe for most people, but it's not vegan and can be a problem for anyone allergic to egg.Use in moderation

Common questions

Is Natamycin safe?

Use in moderation (74/100). Allowed in the US, EU and Canada, mainly on the surface of cheese and, in the EU, dry sausages. EFSA set a daily limit of 0.3 mg per kg of body weight.

Is Natamycin vegan?

Yes.

Is Natamycin gluten-free?

Yes.

Can I eat a cheese rind treated with natamycin?

Yes. It's approved for that use. Many people still cut the rind off, which removes most of it.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • 21 CFR 172.155 (US FDA)
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E235
  • EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2009)

Last checked against FDA, EFSA and Health Canada records: November 2, 2026 · INS 235 · CAS 7681-93-8