We’re updating Bravoora, so forms and sign-in are paused for now. Nothing you saved is lost. Please try again later.

Preservative

E234 (nisin): what it is, its sources, vegan or not

E234 can come from fermentation or milk, and the pack rarely says which. A vegan profile gets Heads up: source not stated.

By Bravoora teamUpdated 13 October 2026Sources checked 20 September 20264 sourcesHow we check

Heads up

for a vegan profile

E234=source not stated

What is E234?

E234 (nisin) is a preservative, an additive that makes a food keep longer by protecting it from microbes.

What is E234 made from?

E234 can come from fermentation or milk. Made by fermentation, often on a milk-based medium, so some labels declare milk.

Fermentation
MilkDeclared allergenRead the milk guide

Is E234 vegan?

Heads up. Source not stated. E234 can come from fermentation or milk. The pack does not have to say which, so the app says Heads up instead of guessing. For a vegetarian profile: Fits you.

What the app says to each profile, and the reason it shows.

VeganHeads upSource not stated. E234 can come from fermentation or milk. The pack does not have to say which, so the app says Heads up instead of guessing.

VegetarianFits youE234 can come from fermentation or milk. None of those is meat or fish.

Milk allergyHeads upIt can come from milk. In the EU, UK, US and Gulf a label must name milk when that is the source, so read the Contains line.

What other names does E234 have on a label?

On a label, E234 can also appear as “INS 234”, “Preservative (234)”, “Preservative (E234)” or “Nisin”.

Any of these on a pack means E234. The checker reads them all.

E234E 234E-234INS 234Preservative (234)Preservative (E234)Nisin

What would change the answer for E234?

For E234, a stated source changes the answer. A pack that says “from fermentation” gives Fits you; one that says “from milk” gives Not for you. A list that is cut off or unreadable gets Needs one more scan.