E235: Natamycin
Main role: surface preservation
Also listed as: pimaricin
What is E235 (Natamycin)?
Natamycin is an antifungal ingredient used in specified surface-preservation applications. It is produced by fermentation and helps limit mold or yeast growth where that use is permitted. Surface treatment is a different application from incorporating an ingredient throughout a food.
What does it do in food?
Its main role is surface preservation. Preservation is one part of a food safety system. Recipe acidity, processing, packaging, and storage also affect how a product keeps. Follow the finished product’s storage instructions even when a preservative is listed.
Food and formulation examples
- Specified cheese-rind treatments
- Selected sausage-surface treatments
These examples describe formulation roles, not a list of unrestricted legal uses. Availability and permitted applications differ by country and food category.
Label names and ingredient questions
Look for E235, E 235, or the ingredient name. Related names and label terms include pimaricin. A family code can cover more than one specified form; check the full declaration when the distinction matters.
For a treated cheese, check the rind and package guidance separately from the interior. A surface preservative does not tell you whether a particular rind is intended for consumption.
Is E235 safe?
There is no meaningful personal risk estimate from an E number alone. Food-grade specifications, allowed uses, amount consumed, and individual circumstances all matter. The authorization record below gives the legal scope; it is not a claim that every possible use is appropriate.
A label identifies the ingredient but usually not its concentration. Calculating daily intake requires the amount in the food and the quantities eaten.
Authorization and conditions of use
The Great Britain food additive register lists E235 as Natamycin. This is an entry subject to its stated conditions, not unrestricted permission for every food. The record links to the applicable authorization terms. For an EU product, use the European Commission food additive database to check the relevant food category and limits. Other countries may use different names or rules.