Monosodium Glutamate
A flavour enhancer that adds savoury 'umami' taste to snacks, soups and processed foods.
MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, a naturally occurring amino acid also present in tomatoes and cheese. It amplifies savoury flavour.
Decades of research show MSG is safe for the general population; the '.Chinese restaurant syndrome' scare was never substantiated. A minority report short-term sensitivity (headache, flushing) at high doses.
Safe for most, but it flags heavily processed food and adds sodium — a signal to check the wider label.
2 analyzed products
Generally recognized as safe but can trigger symptoms in MSG-sensitive people.
Regulators such as EFSA and the FDA consider MSG safe at normal intake. It boosts savoury flavour and makes very salty, processed food more palatable, which can encourage overeating. Some people report headaches or flushing.