You’ve seen the signs and labels stating “No MSG” at your favorite take out place or on food in the grocery store aisles, but that warning doesn’t mean exactly what you think it does. Here are hidden MSG ingredients you need to avoid.
The FDA does not require manufacturers to label these foods MSG unless the “added ingredient” is 99% pure MSG. -Dr. John Douillard DC
This means you can still be consuming MSG even if it’s not labeled as containing it. In addition, if pure Monosodium Glutamate wasn’t added, the label can still claim “No MSG.” How is this possible? Well, MSG is in over 40 FDA approved ingredients and I’ve found even more that commonly contain MSG. It’s genuinely regarded as safe (GRAS), but that doesn’t mean it’s been proven to do no harm.
Table of Contents
What is Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)?
Most people know to avoid MSG, but not everyone knows what the additive is. Monosodium Glutamate is a flavor enhancer and a non-essential amino acid. This means our bodies produce glutamic acid, so it is not essential to our diet. Although, glutamic acid is found in the human body, among living organisms, it is not the same as MSG. When MSG is produced it is accompanied with impurities in the form of by-products. You will not find MSG in naturally occurring whole foods, like fruits.
Why is MSG dangerous?
MSG is an excitotoxin which overstimulates our nervous system. In animal studies MSG was shown to damage the neurons in the brain of mice. High levels of excitotoxins have been linked to brain tumours, diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, brain damage, learning disorders and behavioral problems. In addition to these serious health risks, Dr. Russel Blaylock, neurosurgeon and author of Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills, says:
There are short term consequences from consuming MSG as well. Even if the affects aren’t apparent immediately, sensitivity can build up in our bodies. Those who are sensitive to MSG reported symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, cold sweats, irritability, heart palpitations, and even an asthma attack. Just as MSG tricks your brain into believing food has more flavor, it also fools you into thinking you’re still hungry. This encourages overeating because your brain essentially doesn’t get the message that you’re full.
What to look for on the label:
The E indicates a known excitotoxin, but this portion may not appear on the label.
Always indicates MSG
- Calcium Glutamate (E 623)
- Glutamate (E 620)
- Glutamic Acid (E 620)
- Magnesium Diglutamate E625
- Magnesium Glutamate (E 625)
- Monoammonium Glutamate (E 624)
- Monopotassium Glutamate (E 622)
- Monosodium Glutamate (E 621)
- Ajinomoto
- Anything autolyzed (though the word may be omitted)
- Autolyzed Yeast
- Autolyzed Plant Protein
- Autolyzed Yeast Extract
- Calcium Caseinate
- Gelatin
- Anything hydrolyzed (though the word may be omitted)
- Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
- Hydrolyzed Whey Protein
- Hydrolyzed Corn Gluten
- Hydrolyzed Vegetable Broth
- Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
- Hydrolyzed Corn Protein Concentrate
- Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Concentrate
- Natrium Glutamate
- Anything protein
- Pectin Soy Protein
- Plant Protein
- Soy Protein
- Soy Protein Concentrate
- Soy Protein Isolate
- Textured Protein
- Textured Vegetable Protein
- Whey Protein
- Whey Protein Isolate
- Whey Protein Protease
- Sodium Caseinate
- Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
- Umami
- Vetsin
- Xanthum Gum E415
- Yeast Extract
- Yeast Food
- Yeast Nutrient
May indicate MSG
- Barley malt
- Bouillon
- Brewer’s yeast
- Broth
- Carrageenan (E 407)
- Citric Acid, Citrate (E 330)
- Anything containing enzymes
- Protease Enzymes
- Anything enzyme modified
- Anything fermented
- Any flavors or flavoring
- Natural Beef Flavoring
- Natural Chicken Flavoring
- Natural Flavor(s)
- Natural Flavoring(s)
- Natural Pork Flavoring
- Malted Barley
- Malt Extract
- Maltodextrin
- Nutritional Yeast
- Oligodextrin
- Pectin (E 440)
- Protease
- Anything protein fortified
- Seasonings
- Soy Sauce
- Soy Sauce Extract
- Stock
- Torula Yeast
- Anything ultra-pasteurized
- Whey Protein Concentrate
Suspected indication of MSG or processed free glutamic acid
- Brown Rice Syrup
- Corn Starch
- Corn Syrup
- Dextrose
- Anything labeled Enriched
- Modified Food Starch
- Lipolyzed Butter Fat
- Most things labeled Low Fat or No Fat
- Milk Powder
- Reduced Fat Milk (skim; 1%; 2%)
- Rice Syrup
- Spice(s)
- Anything labeled Vitamin Enriched
Additives that are only used in conjunction with MSG
- Disodium 5’-guanylate (E 627) or Disodium Guanylate E627
- Disodium 5’-inosinate (E-631) or Disodium Inosinate E631
- Disodium 5′-ribonucleotides (E 635)
How to Avoid MSG
It can seem overwhelming to search packaging labels for some of these hidden ingredients. the good news is, there is no MSG in unprocessed whole foods. If you cook your meals at home from scratch, you can monitor the contents and seasoning to ensure you aren’t eating hidden MSG ingredients.
sources:
http://saynotomsg.com/basics_list.php
http://www.truthinlabeling.org/hiddensources.html
http://www.drrisley.com/html/excitotoxins.html[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
My spouse is a district employee who helps distribute free lunches to children.
The free school lunch program sometimes includes a Doritos which Doritos are fried in vegetable oils that have been commericially processed and can lead to an increase of free radicals in the body. They’re also genetically modified and loaded with trans fats, which can cause inflammation, compromised immunity, increased circulation of bad estrogen, and a lack of nutrients.
Sometimes the free school lunches include a cookie or whole grain cheddar goldfish is included with the free school lunch program.
The school lunch professionals should exclude Doritos from the school lunch program.
I meant school lunch program not school lunch professionals.
The worst for me I have to carry a épi pen..my reaction is bad my hands and parts of my body swell, face, my eye drops and gets distorted , my esophagus hurts so bad, my throat closes then ER
I react the same to Sodium Benzoate for the exception of hands , the rest is the same . I read everything I buy every label etc and when I do eat out I am very limited but manage alright. Today brought me to this sight after reacting to a fig bar , the label did not contain msg or sodium benzoate so I proceeded to enjoy it half way there my esophagus started hurting and my eye started drooping with disfigurement, I also had a sneezing and coughing bout . Right away I took Benadryl drank allot of water and after 3 hours it’s subsiding where as I know it will pass. It leaves me drained and of course sleepy . It concerns me …wait…no I’m mad that manufacturers can get away as not to list any MSG unless it’s 99% pure let alone all the hidden sources of MSG
That’s like someone with a peanut allergy where the label only says no peanuts …BUT do not list that they use peanut oil …
It’s life threatening and should be reconsidered by the FDA
lots if helpful info here, but it is incorrect that the E indicates an excitotoxin. E is used for labeling in the European market, even in products currently only sold in the US. Many natural flavors and natural colors also have an E number, as do fairly innocuous thickening agents like locust bean gum and guar gum.
This article on msg is unfounded and mostly misunderstood. There is so much more to msg than what is here. I think if you’re going to post something you should include the proper information on what MSG is. I’m only going to point out a few things in the article that could use some clarification …msg does not occur in whole foods or fruit… Tomatoes for one…avocados…I’m confused about how it’s bad when it’s been used in food for centuries is Asian cultures.? Also all the research seems unfounded that msg is bad for you. I think it’s a moderation issue of its use…
It’s been “used in centuries in Asian cultures?” I think you should go ahead and educate yourself buddy. I’ve berg dealing with this allergy since 16 years old. I’m 32 now. Did you ever think foods aren’t what they used to be, Asian or not, since the recession?? Foods are now made very cheap and as a result they lose the their nutrients. Cheap means more preservatives, more FDA tricks to trick consumers. I grew up with hives with Chinese food. Then after the recession, the hives occurred with me foods such as soups, gravy, powdered products, marinades, salt based diet products. My hives quickly turned into shock where now I need to carry an epipen with me at all times. This article is pretty Damn accurate. I’ve done an investigative report on it and interviewed the FDA. Did you know the FDA now leaves it up to the food industry companies to regulate what goes into the foods we eat? Don’t you think companies cut corners left and right to save a buck or two? Yea…. Try doing your research.
– Former NY Television News Reporter & Anchor
My husband has a terrible reaction whenever he eats anything containing msg. When he was in the hospital last year, we discovered by accident that not only does hospital food contain it, but, to my horror, it is also included in some drugs (prescription and non-prescription) as fillers and binders!
I also have bad reactions to msg, it is good to know all of the other products that may contain it. I can actually taste it, my daughter made me some textured protein, I told her it had salt in it, but she didn’t believe me, of course I was swollen for days. This article is my proof. This is valuable information.
It makes me swell
I never knew that meds may contain msg or hidden sources of it … i would like to research on the list of meds that have such content… I do wish him well and remain alert and cautious of anything he ingests.
I do know that SODIUM BENZOATE is a hidden source of MSG and that it’s found in Ginger Ale and so many Sodas and other juices…so when they gave me a ginger ale the day after surgery i was lucky to have noticed what they were giving me. Even after listing MSG and SB as one of my ALLERGIES like Penicillin
Just avoid processed foods if you can. Big manufacturing has gone too far with what it has attempted to do with “food”
Good hell – just stop eating processed foods if you can. Bio-accumulation and resistance is not isolated. MSG building in your system has to have synergistic consequences with other ways your system is being manipulated by all the other manipulated quasi-foods.