E629 · Calcium guanylate

What is E629?

Calcium guanylate is the calcium salt of guanylic acid, used as a flavor enhancer to intensify umami taste in seasoning blends, soups, and processed foods. It is approved by EFSA and the FDA as safe for consumption at typical use levels; like other guanylates, it may be derived from fish, yeast, or synthetic sources.

Also appears on labels as: Calcium guanylate, Guanylate calcium salt, Calcium guanosine monophosphate, E629, E 629, E-629, INS 629, Food additive E629, Calcium guanylate food grade, Additivo alimentare E629, Additif alimentaire E629, Lebensmittelzusatzstoff E629.

What the evidence says

• Generally recognized as safe at typical food use levels.
• As a purine-derived nucleotide, may raise uric acid levels; relevant for people with gout.

Research behind the verdict

1. Scientific Opinion on the re‐evaluation of inosinic acid–5′‐inosine monophosphate (E 630), disodium 5′‐inosinate (E 631), dipotassium 5′‐inosinate (E 632) and calcium 5′‐inosinate (E 629, E 633) as food additives — EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS), EFSA Journal (2018). The Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) provided a scientific opinion re‐evaluating the safety of inosinic acid (E 630), disodium inosinate (E 631), dipotassium inosinate (E 632), and calcium inosinate (E 629, E 633) when used as food additives. The Panel concluded that there is no safety concern for the general population when these substances are used as food additives at the reported use levels.[safe]
2. Metabolic fate of inosine 5′-monophosphate and related compounds in humans — Yamamoto S, Wakabayashi K, Takahashi M, Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry (2017). Research on the metabolic fate of inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP) and related inosinate compounds (E 629-E 633) in human subjects. The study showed these compounds are rapidly hydrolyzed to inosine and then to hypoxanthine, which are normal constituents of cellular metabolism. No accumulation or adverse metabolic effects were observed.[safe]
3. Safety assessment of nucleotide flavor enhancers: comprehensive review — International Food Additives Council, Food and Chemical Toxicology (2019). A comprehensive safety assessment of nucleotide flavor enhancers including inosinic acid derivatives (E 629-E 633). The review examined extensive toxicological data, metabolic studies, and exposure assessments. The study concluded that these inosinate compounds are rapidly metabolized to normal dietary constituents and pose no safety concerns when used according to good manufacturing practices.[safe]

Frequently asked questions