E634 / Flavour enhancers
Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides
Safety in brief
Safe
Recorded EatMatrix rating, not a new clinical review. The amount, your sensitivities and country rules still matter.
- Watch for
- No allergen or sensitivity is recorded for this ingredient here. Check the whole product label; this is not an allergen-free guarantee.
- Our advice
- Read the whole food label and consider how often you eat the product. A name or E number does not tell you the amount, and an ingredient rating cannot assess the entire food.
What it is
Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides are calcium salts of the flavor-enhancing nucleotides inosinate (IMP) and guanylate (GMP), used to intensify savory umami taste in soups, sauces, seasoning blends, and snack foods. They are typically used alongside MSG for a stronger combined flavor effect. EFSA and the FDA regard them as safe for consumption when used within regulated limits.
Also appears on labels as: Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides, Calcium 5-prime ribonucleotides, Calcium inosinate, Calcium guanylate, 5'-ribonucleotide calcium salt, Calcium IMP, Calcium GMP, Flavor enhancer calcium 5'-ribonucleotides, E634, E 634, E-634, Calcium nucleotides.
Dietary information
- Vegan
- No
- Halal
- No
- Gluten-free
- Yes
- Allergens
- None recorded
Recorded ingredient information. Check the product label or certification: sources, other ingredients and cross-contact can vary.
Research & body effects
Health notes from our ingredient record
- May be sourced from meat, fish, or microbial/yeast fermentation depending on the manufacturer, so animal origin is not always excluded.
- Contribute to dietary purine load, relevant for people with gout or hyperuricemia.
Other references from our ingredient record
These links come from the original ingredient record. They are separate from the source reviews above and have not all been checked for the exact ingredient, amount consumed or claim. Dates are shown newest first.
- Scientific Opinion on the re‐evaluation of calcium 5′‐ribonucleotides (E 634) and disodium 5′‐ribonucleotides (E 635) 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 calcium 5′‐ribonucleotides (E 634) and disodium 5′‐ribonucleotides (E 635) when used as food additives. These compounds are mixtures of guanylates and inosinates. 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]
Country rules
Country checks for E634
Permission depends on the market, type of food, amount and conditions. A scientific opinion or an E-number alone does not establish a legal use. These checks are separate from the stored EatMatrix rating.
Compare all eight markets and their sources
| Market | What is checked |
|---|---|
| European Union | Regulation (EC) 1333/2008, Annex II Part B, version , contains the exact code E634: Calcium 5′-ribonucleotides. Listing alone does not allow every food use. Part E food categories, limits, specifications and applicable later acts still need a product-specific check. Source read: . |
| Great Britain | The FSA register record for E634 (Calcium 5′-ribonucleotides) lists “Authorised” in England, Scotland and Wales. Register updated: 01 April 2025; record checked: . Food-specific conditions and specifications still need a separate legal check. |
| United States | Complete current-use review pending. Any scoped provision in the label guide above applies only to the stated use. FDA explains the applicable food-additive and GRAS framework. |
| Northern Ireland | Review pending. Check the applicable EU rules and territory arrangements; the GB register alone does not establish this status. FSA guidance is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Canada | Exact use and legal category need confirmation No exact named additive row was found for this flavour-related ingredient. CFIA distinguishes flavouring preparations from food additives; a flavour-related E-number alone does not establish that the actual preparation qualifies for that exclusion. EatMatrix reading: Confirm the chemical identity, formulation and intended flavouring role under the relevant Canadian rules. Neither an MSG statement nor an NHP ingredient entry establishes food permission for this preparation. Name and category review: . This describes the legal source check, not a finding that the ingredient is safe, unsafe or untested. Sources and names checkedNames checked: Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides. All 15 Health Canada permitted-additive lists were checked by exact name, with the reviewed alternatives above. E-numbers alone are not Canadian ingredient names. The Justice Canada consolidation read was current to 21 September 2026. A complete product decision also requires its composition, specifications, intended food and use, quantities, applicable separate provisions and any later changes. |
| Australia | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| New Zealand | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Japan | Review pending. The relevant list, identity and use standards need an additive-specific check. CAA food-additive lists is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
Sources & review status
Check what each source covers: an authority’s conclusion, a research finding and a country’s legal permission answer different questions.
What this guide covers
- Original ingredient record
- 1 research link; newest recorded date: . Sources added separately to this guide are not included in this count.
This guide brings together our ingredient record and the dated sources shown here. Missing information describes a gap in this guide; it does not mean an ingredient is untested, safe or harmful. This is not a complete review of every study, preparation or current country rule. The amount in a product and how it is used still matter.
How to read the ratings, research and country checksAgency labels recorded by EatMatrix
These are imported database classifications, not verified current statements from each authority. Use the dated official sources below for their actual scope and conclusions.
| Authority | Database label |
|---|---|
| WHO | Safe |
| Japan | Safe |
Database updated: . What does an E number mean on a food label?
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is EatMatrix's recorded rating for E634?
The recorded EatMatrix rating for E634 (Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides) is “Safe”. It is calculated from labels stored in our ingredient database. These labels are not verified current regulator decisions or country permissions. A database update date is not a scientific review date.
Is E634 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides — vegan: no, vegetarian: no, halal: no, kosher: no, gluten-free: yes, dairy-free: yes. Manufacturing sources can vary between products; check the label if it matters to you.
What is E634 and why is it used?
Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides are calcium salts of the flavor-enhancing nucleotides inosinate (IMP) and guanylate (GMP), used to intensify savory umami taste in soups, sauces, seasoning blends, and snack foods. They are typically used alongside MSG for a stronger combined flavor effect. EFSA and the FDA regard them as safe for consumption when used within regulated limits.
Does E634 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides.
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This page shows information and classifications recorded in our ingredient database. Current scientific and market-specific verification remains pending as described above. It is general information, not medical advice.