Acesulfame potassium is a zero-calorie sweetener that is added to many sugar-free…
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Natamycin
Natamycin
Natamycin
What is it:
Natamycin (E 235) is a natural antifungal agent commonly used in the food industry to inhibit the growth of molds and yeasts. Also known as pimaricin, it is produced by the bacterium Streptomyces natalensis. Natamycin is often applied to the surface of cheeses, meats, and other dairy products to extend their shelf life by preventing spoilage.
Rating:
Natamycin a natural alternative to many synthetic preservatives. has not been associated with any negative health effects in humans. However, human and animal test tube studies have indicated that natamycin may have genotoxic and cytotoxic effect. More studies on the effect of natamycin in humans is warranted.
Resources:
- Food applications of natamycin (review)
- Efficacy of natamycin for reducing mold (in vitro study)
- EFSA scientific opinion on the use of natamycin as a food additive (review)
- Natamycin has a cytotoxic effect on human lymphocytes (in vitro study)
- Natamycin causes abnormal chromosomal changes in mice bone marrow cells (in vitro animal study)
How we rate ingredients
Health is like a bank account, certain ingredients make a deposit into your health bank, meaning they add to
your health. Certain ingredients withdraw from your health bank. We want health promoting ingredients in our diet. To keep things simple, we rate ingredients on a green, yellow, red scale:
Clean
It is naturally occurring in food and has no harmful effects on the body. It is real food. It is health promoting.
Caution
It goes into one or more of the below categories
- It is not naturally occurring in food but doesn’t have data showing it has a harmful effect on the body (additives like Gellan Gum)
- It is naturally occurring but can have some harmful effects on the body (added sugars, oils, gums etc.)
We Avoid
It is known to have a harmful effect on the body (ex. All food colorings, Natural Flavors, MSG, Potassium bromate, aspartame, artificial flavors)
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