E927b / Glazing agents, gases & sweeteners
Urea
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
Urea is a nitrogen-containing compound produced naturally by the body as a byproduct of protein metabolism and excreted in urine; the food-grade version is manufactured synthetically. As food additive E927b, it is used in chewing gum as a flavoring agent, buffering agent, and to help maintain moisture and texture. It is generally recognized as safe within its approved, regulated use levels. It should not be confused with carbamide resin, a different industrial chemical.
Also appears on labels as: Urea, Carbamide, INS 927b, E927b, E 927b, E-927b, Food Grade Urea, Urea (E927b), Urea Additive, Synthetic Urea, CO(NH2)2, Carbonyl Diamide.
Dietary information
- Vegan
- Yes
- Halal
- Yes
- 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
- Generally recognized as safe at the low levels used in approved applications such as chewing gum.
- Not intended for use as a bulk food ingredient; high-dose ingestion outside approved food uses can cause gastrointestinal upset.
Country rules
Country checks for E927B
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 E927B: Carbamide. 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 E927B (Carbamide) 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 | Selected US conditions for Urea Official federal text current through ; read . Food uses, limits and exceptionsNamed preparation and use conditions Food-grade urea is listed as a formulation and fermentation aid in yeast-raised bakery products, alcoholic beverages and gelatin products, under good manufacturing practice. The named industrial process ingredient should not be confused with a dietary recommendation. EatMatrix’s reading: a legal use condition answers where and how an ingredient may be used. It is not a test of your product, a personal safe intake or a claim that the ingredient benefits your body. Match the named substance, food and amount. Other federal provisions, food standards, state rules and later changes may also apply; this is a selected source review, not a complete product-compliance decision. |
| 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 additive-use row was found for urea. The food-enzyme list contains urease, which is a different substance and does not establish urea permission. EatMatrix reading: Determine the exact role and food process and seek an applicable primary provision. Do not confuse the enzyme’s name with its substrate. 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: Urea. 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
- No research links in the original record. 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 |
|---|---|
| FDA | Safe |
| WHO | 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 E927B?
The recorded EatMatrix rating for E927B (Urea) 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 E927B vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Urea — vegan: yes, vegetarian: yes, halal: yes, kosher: yes, gluten-free: yes, dairy-free: yes. Manufacturing sources can vary between products; check the label if it matters to you.
What is E927B and why is it used?
Urea is a nitrogen-containing compound produced naturally by the body as a byproduct of protein metabolism and excreted in urine; the food-grade version is manufactured synthetically. As food additive E927b, it is used in chewing gum as a flavoring agent, buffering agent, and to help maintain moisture and texture. It is generally recognized as safe within its approved, regulated use levels. It should not be confused with carbamide resin, a different industrial chemical.
Does E927B contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Urea.
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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.