Monosodium Glutamate

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What is Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)?

Monosodium Glutamate also known as sodium glutamate or MSG is a sodium salt of the non-essential amino acid glutamic acid. It is used as a food additive and marked as a flavor  enhancer. [1]

Health Disputes

MSG kills brain cells and causes a variety of adverse reactions. [2]

Under current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, when MSG is added to a food, it must be identified as "monosodium glutamate" in the label's ingredient list. If MSG is part of a spice mix that is purchased from another company, the manufacturer is still required to list the ingredients of that spice mix including MSG. Some companies whether intentionally or unknowingly may simply use the words "flavorings" or "spices" even if other ingredients including MSG are present. This is technically against the regulation and should the company be questioned about it, it would be required to update the labels. [1]

Also, MSG is only one of several forms of free glutamate used in foods. Free glutamate may also be present in a wide variety of other additives, including hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed yeast, yeast extract, soy extracts, protein isolate, "spices" and "natural flavorings." The food additives disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate are useful only in synergy with MSG-containing ingredients, and provide a likely indicator of the presence of MSG in a product. [1]