Monosodium Glutamate Use

Common Food Additive Linked to MSG Symptom Complex and Obesity

Aug 31, 2008

While MSG is a widely used flavor enhancer found in food, research suggests there are risks associated with its use.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a white crystal substance that is similar in appearance to salt and sugar. A commonly used flavor enhancer, MSG is made through a fermentation process using beet sugar, cane sugar or molasses, and starch. MSG is widely used in Asian foods, canned vegetables, soups, and processed meats.

Although MSG was approved as a "generally recognized as safe" food ingredient by the Food and Drug Administration in 1959, the use of MSG has remained a controversial topic due to adverse reactions experienced by some who consume MSG.

MSG Symptom Complex

In 1992, the FDA sponsored an independent group of scientists known as the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) who completed a comprehensive review of all available scientific research pertaining to the safety of MSG. The 1995 FASEB report indicated that consuming MSG at typical levels by the general population posed no long-term health risks. However, the FASEB report did recognize short-term reactions to MSG. These reactions are known as MSG Symptom Complex and may include:

While most symptoms are mild and do not requirement treatment, some report more severe reactions.

Current MSG Research

A new study suggests a connection between the consumption of MSG and being overweight. According to Stephen Daniells in the August 28, 2008 Dairy Reporter article "MSG Linked to Increased Body Weight," researchers studied 752 men and women ages 40 to 59 in southern China where nearly 82 percent of people use MSG in cooking. The research suggested that one-third of the men and women who used MSG were nearly three times as likely to be overweight (having a body mass index over 25), even when controlling for physical activity, total caloric intake, and any other reasons for body mass differences. As indicated by Nicholas Bakalar in the August 26, 2008 New York Times article, "MSG Use is Linked to Obesity," although researchers did establish a link between MSG use and obesity, the study results are not indicative of the use of MSG causing obesity.

While the FDA still maintains that MSG is safe as a food additive, they do require that MSG be added to the list of ingredients on food labels as "monosodium glutamate" and must be added to restaurant menus.

Meadows, Michelle: "MSG: A Common Flavor Enhancer," FDA Consumer Magazine, 2003.

The copyright of the article Monosodium Glutamate Use in Food Facts is owned by Jennifer Murray. Permission to republish Monosodium Glutamate Use in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.