How to Avoid MSG: Its in More Foods than You Think

Many people may be aware of the controversial food additive Monosodium Glutamate or MSG.  However, most people may not be aware of just how widely it is included in everyday food items.  So, if you think you don’t have to worry about MSG if you are not eating Chinese food, try finding ranch dressing in the grocery store that does not list monosodium glutamate in the ingredients.  I guarantee you will not succeed until you go to the organic section.  After searching salad dressings, try finding some bullion, broth, or gravy.  Then go to the soup isle and look at the ingredients for some of your favorite soups.  Additionally, check out some meatless dishes or ready to eat meals.  You may be surprised at just how much MSG you are consuming.  This does not even include some of the restaurants other than Chinese restaurants that have also picked up on using MSG without our knowledge.

Why Avoid MSG?

If you are not aware of the controversy surrounding the flavor enhancing additive known as MSG, here are some of the symptoms which have been dubbed the “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome.”  According to the New England Journal of Medicine, 1968, the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome includes experiencing pain, weakness, numbing, and heart palpitations right after eating MSG.  Though not everyone will experience a strong reaction to MSG, the FDA recommended that MSG not be given to children until their brains were fully developed.  As a result of this recommendation and due to the strong public movement against MSG, most food manufactures removed MSG from baby food.  In addition to the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome symptoms from MSG exposure, the Department of Human Health provided a report titled the “MSG Consumer Complaints of Reported Symptoms,” which included symptoms such as headaches, nausea, diarrhea, change in heart rate, mood changes, abdominal pain, dizziness, sleep problems, numbness and change in activity level.  In light of these reported symptoms and since MSG can sometimes be produced from a base of motor oil or kerosene, it is no wonder that so many people wish to avoid it. 

MSG and “Truth in Labeling” ???

Since MSG is scientifically classified as a natural substance, food manufactures are not required to list MSG by its name and can get away with having no mention of MSG and instead list “naturally flavored,” in the ingredients.  Some of the other popular ways for avoiding the mention of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in ingredients labeling is by listing it as hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), hydrolyzed plant protein, autolyzed yeast, or just yeast.  Some labels may even state “no MSG” even though it lists HVP which generally contains from 9 to 16% MSG. (Hersey, 2006).