Baby Safety / Compounds / Disodium guanylate (GMP; E627)

Is Disodium guanylate (GMP; E627) safe for babies and kids?

Moderate risk for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to Disodium guanylate (GMP; E627) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What is disodium guanylate (gmp; e627)?

The IUPAC name is disodium;[(2R,3S,4R,5R)-5-(2-amino-6-oxo-1H-purin-9-yl)-3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl]methyl phosphate.

Also known as: disodium;[(2R,3S,4R,5R)-5-(2-amino-6-oxo-1H-purin-9-yl)-3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl]methyl phosphate, Guanosine 5'-monophosphate disodium salt, Disodium guanylate, DISODIUM 5'-GUANYLATE.

IUPAC name
disodium;[(2R,3S,4R,5R)-5-(2-amino-6-oxo-1H-purin-9-yl)-3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl]methyl phosphate
CAS number
5550-12-9
Molecular formula
C10H12N5Na2O8P
Molecular weight
407.18 g/mol
SMILES
C1=NC2=C(N1C3C(C(C(O3)COP(=O)([O-])[O-])O)O)N=C(NC2=O)N.[Na+].[Na+]
PubChem CID
135414246

Risk for babies

Moderate risk

Infants are more vulnerable to Disodium guanylate (GMP; E627) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Disodium guanylate (GMP; E627), potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

3 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Disodium guanylate (GMP; E627). The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
IARC2017Not evaluated by IARC for carcinogenicity — Disodium guanylate (GMP; disodium 5'-guanylate; E627; CAS 5550-12-9; the disodium salt of guanosine 5'-monophosphate, a purine ribonucleotide) is a flavor enhancer used synergistically with MSG and disodium inosinate (IMP; E631) to amplify umami taste; FDA GRAS; EU E627; EFSA and JECFA ADI 'not specified'; no IARC, EPA, or EFSA carcinogenicity classification; GMP is a more potent umami synergist than IMP (approximately 2.3× more potent on a molar basis) and is a normal cellular metabolite (a component of RNA and the signaling molecule cGMP); the same uric acid/gout consideration applies to GMP as to IMP (see E631); GMP has the additional specific association with shiitake mushrooms, which contain high levels of 5'-GMP produced by 5'-nucleotidase activity during drying
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 3 positive / 0 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 3 positive / 0 negative reports)

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter disodium guanylate (gmp; e627)

  • Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
  • Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Disodium guanylate (GMP; E627):

  • Ester quats (diethyl ester dimethyl ammonium chloride)
    Trade-offs: Slightly different performance feel
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is disodium guanylate (gmp; e627) safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to Disodium guanylate (GMP; E627) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What products contain disodium guanylate (gmp; e627)?

Disodium guanylate (GMP; E627) appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).

What should I do if my child is exposed to disodium guanylate (gmp; e627)?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Why do regulators disagree about disodium guanylate (gmp; e627)?

Disodium guanylate (GMP; E627) has been classified by 3 agencies including IARC, EPA CTX / Genetox, EPA CTX / Genetox, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.

See Disodium guanylate (GMP; E627) in the baby app

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Sources (1)
  1. Disodium Guanylate GMP E627 CAS 5550-12-9 5'-GMP C10H12N5Na2O8P 2.3x More Potent Umami Synergist Than IMP; FDA GRAS EU E627 EFSA ADI Not Specified; I+G E631+E627 1:1 Commercial Blend Bouillon Noodles Snacks; Shiitake 5'-Nucleotidase Drying Activates RNA Hydrolysis GMP AMP IMP Natural Potent Umami Source; Dashi Kombu Glutamate + Katsuobushi Shiitake IMP GMP Synergy Origin; IMP Dehydrogenase XMP GMP Synthase Glutamine; cGMP Nitric Oxide Vasodilation Phosphodiesterase Retinal Phototransduction; Guanine Deaminase Xanthine Oxidase Uric Acid Gout Hyperuricemia Same As IMP; Yeast Saccharomyces Aspergillus Oryzae RNA Enzymatic Hydrolysis 5'-Phosphodiesterase; Halal Kosher Yeast-Derived Acceptable; Animal-Derived IMP Requires Certification; Vegetarian Label E631 E627 Source Ambiguity (2017) — regulatory

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →