Carbamide E927b
humectant — Primarily synthetic.
Urea
CAS: 57-13-6
Factual Regulatory Reference
This database provides factual regulatory information compiled from official government sources. It does not constitute medical, nutritional, or safety advice. Regulatory status varies by country and is subject to change. Always refer to your local regulatory authority for the most current information.
What Is Carbamide?
Carbamide (urea) is authorized in the EU specifically for treating chewing gum base as a softening/plasticizing agent. Urea is a normal metabolite in mammalian biology — the primary nitrogenous waste product of protein catabolism. As a food additive (E927b), it is used only in chewing gum base to modify texture. JECFA considers it acceptable with no numerical ADI for this use. EFSA reviewed carbamide in 2010 and confirmed safety at use levels in chewing gum. Approved in the EU for chewing gum applications.
? Did You Know?
Carbamide occurs naturally in Human and animal urine (main excretion product) and Mammalian blood. Many people consume it daily without realizing it's also a listed food additive.
Beyond food, Carbamide is also used in cosmetics, medicine, industrial applications, household products. Its versatility makes it one of the most multi-purpose chemical compounds in everyday life.
Regulatory Analysis
Carbamide (urea, E927b) occupies an unusual regulatory position as a food additive whose active molecule is an endogenous mammalian metabolite produced in large quantities daily by the body through normal protein catabolism (20–30 g/day via the urea cycle). This biological ubiquity has made setting a conventional ADI unnecessary: both JECFA and EFSA concluded that food additive levels in chewing gum are negligible compared to endogenous production and pose no regulatory concern. EU authorization under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 is restricted to sugar-free chewing gum at a maximum of 30,000 mg/kg. The limited scope of authorization reflects the functional niche rather than safety concerns. The commercial motivation for labeling E927b as 'carbamide' rather than 'urea' in regulatory lists is to avoid the consumer perception associations that the word 'urea' carries, though both names refer to the same compound.
Detailed Regulatory Assessment
European Union (EFSA)
Authorized only for use in chewing gum without added sugar
United States (FDA)
Approved for use in chewing gum
Japan (MHLW)
Approved for chewing gum
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
International Standard (JECFA)
mg/kg body weight per day
European Standard (EFSA)
Everyday Perspective
For a 60kg adult, this limit is roughly equivalent to consuming:
Natural Occurrence
A nitrogen-containing compound that is the main end product of protein metabolism in mammals. Naturally present in urine. Synthetic urea is identical to natural urea and is used in chewing gum to prevent hardening and maintain texture.
Manufacturing
Industrially produced by reacting ammonia with carbon dioxide at high temperature and pressure (Bosch-Meiser urea process). First organic compound to be synthesized from inorganic materials (1828).
Applications Beyond Food
Moisturizers, hand creams, nail treatments
Topical keratolytic agent, diuretic
Fertilizer (main use), adhesives, plastics production
De-icing products, diesel exhaust fluid (AdBlue)