Preservative · CAS 7681-93-8 · EU E235
Natamycin
FDA status: GRAS. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Natamycin is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 5 out of 5 (Generally Safe), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #60 of 417.
- #60 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Natamycin is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #60 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (86th percentile).
- 5/5
- Generally Safe
- GRAS
- FDA status
- #60 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Natamycin: 775 tracked U.S. products (common band, #60 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 775 · #60 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | GRAS | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | E235 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 7681-93-8 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Preservative | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 5 / 5 (Generally Safe) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Natamycin?
Natural antifungal from bacteria.
Health Concerns
- Very safe. Not absorbed by gut.
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a common OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (775 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 775
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Natamycin safe to consume?
Natamycin scores 5/5 (Generally Safe). FDA status is GRAS. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (775 tracked products, #60 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Natamycin used for in food?
Natamycin shows up as Cheese, sausage, yogurt in the Preservative class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (775 products).
Where does Natamycin sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #60 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of Natamycin?
The FDA classifies Natamycin as "GRAS" while the EU status is "Approved" (E235). The EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes restricting additives that remain approved in the US.
What health concerns are associated with Natamycin?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Natamycin: Very safe. Not absorbed by gut.. These findings inform its safety score of 5/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.