Preservative · CAS 1414-45-5 · EU E234
Nisin
FDA status: GRAS. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Nisin 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 #198 of 417.
- #198 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Nisin is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #198 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (53rd percentile).
- 5/5
- Generally Safe
- GRAS
- FDA status
- #198 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Nisin: 21 tracked U.S. products (moderate band, #198 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 21 · #198 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | GRAS | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | E234 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 1414-45-5 | 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 Nisin?
Natural antimicrobial peptide.
Health Concerns
- Very safe. Degraded by digestive enzymes.
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a moderate OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (21 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nisin safe to consume?
Nisin scores 5/5 (Generally Safe). FDA status is GRAS. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a moderate additive (21 tracked products, #198 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Nisin used for in food?
Nisin shows up as Processed cheese, canned vegetables in the Preservative class, and the OFF sample puts it in the moderate footprint band (21 products).
Where does Nisin sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #198 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 Nisin?
The FDA classifies Nisin as "GRAS" while the EU status is "Approved" (E234). The EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes restricting additives that remain approved in the US.
What health concerns are associated with Nisin?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Nisin: Very safe. Degraded by digestive enzymes.. These findings inform its safety score of 5/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.