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E927bGlazing agentLow concern
Carbamide (Urea)
In plain words
The short version
Food-grade urea used in chewing gum to modify pH and saliva flow, and as a fermentation aid.
Why it's green
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
No ADI specified; urea is a normal body metabolite, and food-use levels are low.
The detail
Urea, a simple nitrogen compound (also a normal human metabolite), synthesized industrially.
Used in chewing gum, where it raises pH and modifies saliva and flavour; also a yeast nutrient / fermentation aid in some winemaking.
White crystalline solid, very water-soluble.
EU — permitted only in chewing gum with no added sugar (up to 30 000 mg/kg); permitted in the US with limits.
Sources
- WHO JECFA database — Urea, evaluation 1993 (41st meeting) — World Health Organization / JECFA, 1993. No ADI specified; chewing-gum use levels not of concern
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II Part E, food category 05.3 Chewing gum, consolidated text of 18 August 2026 — Publications Office of the European Union, 2026. EU — permitted only in sugar-free chewing gum
- 21 CFR 184.1923 — Urea (GRAS affirmation), eCFR text as of 2026-10-13 — US eCFR / FDA, 2026. Permitted in the US with limits; fermentation aid
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.