E927: Azodicarbonamide and Carbamide

What is E927?

E927 groups two different substances: azodicarbonamide (E927a), a yellow-orange chemical used to treat flour, and carbamide (E927b), better known as urea. They share a code because both have been used as additives, but they behave very differently.

Origin and production

Both are produced by chemical synthesis. Urea is made industrially from ammonia and carbon dioxide, and azodicarbonamide is made from urea and hydrazine.

Why is it used?

Azodicarbonamide acts as a flour bleaching and dough-conditioning agent, strengthening dough for industrial breads, buns and sandwich products. Carbamide is used in some places in sugar-free chewing gum and other limited applications.

Vegan, vegetarian and halal

Both substances are synthetic and suitable for vegans and vegetarians. They raise no particular halal or kosher concerns.

Safety and regulation

Azodicarbonamide is not authorised as a food additive in the European Union, whereas it is permitted in the United States as a flour treatment agent within set limits; carbamide (E927b) is authorised in the EU for limited uses such as chewing gum without added sugar. Rules therefore vary significantly between countries.

Common in