# Natamycin (E235)

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**Safety rating:** SAFE
**E-number:** E235
**CAS number:** 7681-93-8
**Category:** other
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Natamycin is a naturally occurring antifungal antibiotic produced by Streptomyces bacteria. It is used as a preservative in food products to prevent mold and fungal spoilage, particularly in cheese and other dairy products.

## Regulatory status

| Country | Status |
| --- | --- |
| United States | approved |
| European Union | not_evaluated |
| United Kingdom | approved |
| Canada | approved |
| Australia | approved |
| Japan | restricted |
| South Korea | approved |
| Brazil | approved |
| China | approved |
| India | approved |

## Detailed analysis

## What is Natamycin?

Natamycin (also known as pimaricin) is a polyene macrolide antibiotic with the CAS number 7681-93-8. It is produced through fermentation by the bacterium Streptomyces natalensis. Natamycin functions as an antifungal agent by disrupting fungal cell membranes, making it effective at preventing mold and yeast growth in food products. The compound is a naturally derived additive rather than a synthetic chemical.

## Common Uses

Natamycin is primarily used as a food preservative in dairy products, particularly in cheese production where it prevents surface mold growth. It is also employed in other foods including yogurt, sour cream, and certain processed meat products. The additive is typically applied as a surface treatment or incorporated into food formulations at very low concentrations, generally ranging from 10-400 ppm depending on the food category and regional regulations. Its antifungal properties make it particularly valuable for products that are prone to mold contamination during storage and distribution.

## Safety Assessment

Natamycin has not been granted GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status by the FDA, though it remains approved for specific food applications. The FDA has recorded zero adverse events associated with natamycin consumption, and there have been no recalls related to this additive. The compound's safety profile is supported by its rapid degradation in the gastrointestinal tract and minimal systemic absorption when ingested orally at typical food use levels.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated natamycin and established acceptable daily intake levels. Toxicological studies in animal models have demonstrated low acute toxicity, and chronic exposure studies have not revealed significant health concerns at approved use levels. The additive is not genotoxic or mutagenic based on available scientific literature.

Because natamycin is an antibiotic, there has been theoretical concern regarding potential impacts on human microbiota. However, the quantities used in food are extremely small, and the antimicrobial spectrum is limited primarily to fungi rather than bacteria, reducing concerns about selective pressure on bacterial populations.

## Regulatory Status

Natamycin's regulatory status varies internationally. In the United States, while not GRAS-listed, natamycin is approved by the FDA as a food additive for specific uses in cheese (21 CFR 172.131). The European Union permits natamycin (E235) as a food additive with established maximum residue levels. It is also approved in Canada, Australia, and many other countries for use in cheese and select dairy products.

The additive must meet specific purity standards and identity requirements established by food regulatory agencies. Approved use levels are significantly lower than those shown to produce effects in safety studies, providing a substantial safety margin.

## Key Studies

Multiple safety evaluations have been conducted on natamycin, including comprehensive reviews by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). These evaluations concluded that natamycin is safe for use in food at approved levels. Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrate that oral natamycin is poorly absorbed in the human gastrointestinal tract, with most of the compound being excreted unchanged in feces, limiting systemic exposure. In vitro and animal studies confirm that natamycin's antimicrobial activity is predominantly antifungal, with minimal effects on common bacterial species at food-relevant concentrations.

## Brands using Natamycin

- Sargento (14 products)
- Kraft (5 products)
- Tillamook (5 products)
- Jimmy Dean (3 products)
- Perfection Bakeries, Inc. (3 products)
- Kraft Heinz Foods Company (2 products)
- Marie Callender's (2 products)
- Milton G. Waldbaum Company (2 products)
- SARGENTO (2 products)
- Safeway, Inc. (2 products)
- The Hillshire Brands Company (2 products)
- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (2 products)
- Conagra Brands, Inc (1 product)
- Conagra Frozen Foods (1 product)
- Johanna Foods, Inc. (1 product)
- Kickass Snacks, Inc. (1 product)
- LES ALIMENTS O'SOLE MIO INC (1 product)
- LIDL (1 product)
- Mediacast Martha Foods, LLC (1 product)
- Nature's Own (1 product)
- Northwest Gourmet Food Products, Inc. (1 product)
- Oscar Mayer (1 product)
- Pawleys Island Specialty Foods (1 product)
- Philadelphia (1 product)
- Quesos La Ricura (1 product)
- Reser's Fine Foods, Inc. (1 product)
- Sargento Foods Inc (1 product)
- Seafood America LLC (1 product)
- Stone Ridge Meat & Country Market, Inc (1 product)
- Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (1 product)

## Sources

- FDA Substances Added to Food (CFSAN)
- OpenFDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
- OpenFDA Food Recalls
- EFSA OpenFoodTox
- EU Food Additive Portal

## Citation

Additive Facts. "Natamycin (E235) — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/natamycin. Accessed 2026-05-12.