Monosodium glutamate (MSG - E621): Is it harmful?

Monosodium glutamate (MSG - E621) is a flavor enhancer commonly added to Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups and processed meats. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified MSG as a food ingredient that is "generally recognized as safe," the use of MSG remains controversial. MSG is a fine white crystal substance that looks like salt. It is used as a flavor enhancer in many foods, especially in pre-made soups, broth, bouillon, natural chicken flavoring, sauces, dressings, and processed foods. Restaurants in Asia are notorious for using it, out of habit and lack of knowlege about it. The processed food industry, however, is notorious for using it with full knowledge of its making and effects.The problem with MSG is that some people experience adverse reactions within 1 hour after they taste it. These reactions — known as MSG symptom complex — may include: * Headache, sometimes called MSG headache * Flushing * Sweating * Sense of facial pressure or tightness * Numbness, tingling or burning in or around the mouth * Rapid, fluttering heartbeats (heart palpitations) * Chest pain * Shortness of breath * Nausea * Weakness * Diarrhoea MSG is made by either a bacterial fermenting process, protein hydrolysis (a breaking of protein into its constituent amino acids), or by synthesis. When a product is 99% pure MSG, the product is called "monosodium glutamate" by the FDA and must be labeled as such. However, when a hydrolyzed protein contains less than 99% MSG, the FDA does not require that the MSG be identified. Many food products manufacturers advertise "No MSG" on their food packages, but this is misleading. MSG is simply disguised as "hydrolyzed vegetable protein," "glutamic acid," "enzyme modified," "natural flavor," "yeast extract," "contain maltodextrin," and "autolyzed yeast." For more in depth information about MSG, its toxic effects, and where MSG is hidden in food, cosmetics, and drug, please contact the Truth in Labeling Campaign, PO Box 2532, Darien, IL 60561 or visit: www.truthinlabeling.org