Natamycin antibiotic used in some cheeses as a preservative

[Diane789]

Hi just want to flag this to you guys as, first because I was surprised that this is a thing, and second I believe I had a severe allergic reaction to it.

The cheese I ate was from Waitrose, & was a mix of cow, ewe & goats milk, all of which I've eaten before without any problems. Unfortunately I ate the cheese rind, that's marked as not suitable for vegetarians because it contains natamycin - which I assumed was just another form of gelatin.

Natamycin is in fact an antibiotic. It is used as a preservative typically in cheese rinds. It has apparently been banned by a company called Whole Foods, reason not stated; but I can't find anything else about confirmed allergic reactions.

I am allergic to penicillin - but as far as I can figure natamycin is unrelated to penicillin.

Thanks
Diane

[Mat]

Yikes!! - That is pretty scary!

[Soupee]

https://natamycin.com/

Apparently “ is an effective natural food preservative for preventing yeast and mold growth. For nearly 50 years it has been safely used around the world to protect a wide variety of foods and beverages from spoilage, including dairy products, cured meats, baked goods and fruit juice”

[grumbleweed]

This might be of interest.
I must admit, I've never seen it listed as an ingredient.

[roseymary]

Interesting - I am not aware of having seen that as an ingredient, wonder if it's lurking behind an number.

[Gilli]

This might be of interest.
I must admit, I've never seen it listed as an ingredient.

Thanks GW that was interesting.

Diane789, thank you for the heads up. You must have had a very scary experience. I hope you are fully recovered now.

[Soupee]

http://www.ukfoodguide.net/e235.htm

E235

[ChristineJ]

I occasionally eat the rind off cheese or put it into soup e.g. cauliflower

[Diane789]

Yes I'm fine thanks :-)

[Diane789]

Thanks, Soupee - you found its E name, and supplied a link.

I've learned a lesson.. don't be lazy!!!
If you don't know what an ingredient is, either
- look it up, see if it's ok,
- or better, don't buy the product

:-)