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Is Nisin and natamycin (E234, E235) Halal?

Yes — this one is Halal.

Halal

High confidence About this ruling

About this ruling

Evidence confidence
High means this page cites a primary regulator listing and a named Halal certifier listing, retrieved 16 August 2026. That describes the quality of the sources on this page—not a Halal certificate for the pack or outlet in your hand.
How we score High, Medium, and Low

Nisin is a peptide from Lactococcus lactis.

Evidence at a glance

Named sources used for this page. Open the full Sources block for notes and citation numbers.

Source Type Retrieved
EFSA — Re-evaluation of nisin (E234) European Food Safety Authority Regulatory / labelling
21 CFR § 184.1538 nisin U.S. eCFR Regulatory / labelling
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives European Union Regulatory / labelling
European Commission — Food additives European Commission Regulatory / labelling
Codex GSFA online FAO / WHO Codex Regulatory / labelling
SANHA — E-numbers SANHA Certifier / jurisdiction
U.S. FDA — Food additives U.S. Food and Drug Administration Regulatory / labelling

Full Sources

Additive identity

E-number
E234, E235
Codex INS
INS 234, INS 235
Function
preservative
Family
preservatives
EU Union list
authorised
Names
Nisin; Natamycin; Pimaricin

Possible source pathways

The finished molecule can be identical across feedstocks. The Halal ruling follows the pathway, not the code alone.

  • microbial · Typical Halal Fermentation of plant carbohydrates or a defined microbial metabolite.
  • plant · Typical Halal The feedstock is plant.

E-number database

Cheese wheels that may be surface-treated with natamycin

Why this ruling

Nisin (E234) and natamycin (E235) are Halal microbial preservatives used mainly on cheese.[3][5]

They do not settle cheese Halal status. Rennet and flavour still do.

Where you'll find it

  • Cheese surface treatment
  • Some processed meats

How to verify

1) Match E234, E235, nisin, or natamycin. 2) The preservative is Halal. 3) Read cheese rennet separately.

  • Nisin/natamycin → Halal microbial.
  • Cheese still needs rennet.
  • Not gelatin.

Conditions for Halal

  • E234 / E235 as listed → Halal microbial preservatives
  • Cheese carrying them still needs a rennet / starter check

Scholarly differences

A microbial peptide is not gelatin and not an insect colour. Dairy media in fermentation do not turn nisin into a slaughter question for most certifiers.

Frequently asked questions

Is nisin from milk?
It is made by bacteria that can grow on dairy or plant media. The additive is a peptide, not cheese fat, and is treated as Halal.
Is natamycin an antibiotic in the medicine sense?
It is a permitted food antifungal. That is a use-class question, not a Halal ban.

Sources

Named Islamic, certifier, manufacturer, and regulatory sources used on this page. Inline markers like [1] jump here. Retrieval dates show when we last checked the live URL. Editorial methodology.

Certifier / jurisdiction

  1. SANHA — E-numbers

    SANHA

    Certifier: SANHA

    Certifier E-number literacy; not a product certificate.

    Retrieved:

Regulatory / labelling

  1. EFSA — Re-evaluation of nisin (E234)

    European Food Safety Authority

    Substance identity—not a Halal certificate for a finished pack.

    Retrieved:

  2. 21 CFR § 184.1538 nisin

    U.S. eCFR

    U.S. identity / GRAS or colour-additive listing—not a Halal ruling.

    Retrieved:

  3. Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives

    European Union

    Union-list identity—not a Halal certificate.

    Retrieved:

  4. European Commission — Food additives

    European Commission

    EU additive literacy hub.

    Retrieved:

  5. Codex GSFA online

    FAO / WHO Codex

    Codex INS / GSFA identity.

    Retrieved:

  6. U.S. FDA — Food additives

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration

    US identity / labelling context—not a Halal ruling.

    Retrieved:

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Applies to
General ruling; confirm local labels, slaughter, and certification when relevant
Last reviewed