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Here’s What the Science Says about MSG

By January 30, 2022December 7th, 2022In the News, MSG
is MSG safe

Monosodium glutamate is deeply misunderstood, experts reveal.

As reported in Prevention magazine in an article titled, “Is MSG Actually Bad for You? Here’s What the Science Says,” published on January 28, 2022:

“Is MSG actually bad for you? Monosodium glutamate has a terrible rap due to decades of anecdotal reports and xenophobia—but it’s probably nowhere near as detrimental to your health as you think. Here’s everything you need to know about the misunderstood ingredient, according to experts.”

“MSG is a completely natural substance. It occurs in foods like ripe tomatoes, aged cheeses, fish, mushrooms and seaweed—all of which share that deep, earthy, savory flavor. Today, MSG is produced by fermenting starch, sugar beets, sugar cane, or molasses, the FDA says. And despite the name, it contains no gluten.”

“There is no good research to back up the notion that MSG is bad for you,” explains Susan Levin, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., director of nutrition education at Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. “In fact, international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the Food and Drug Administration, and the European Food Safety Association classify MSG as ‘generally recognized as safe.’ ”

Read the full article in Prevention here.

Read more about MSG’s safety being affirmed worldwide.

The MSGdish Team's goal is to provide timely and important information about glutamate, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and the many culinary creations inspired by “umami" while connecting these topics to facts about food, taste, and health. The MSGdish Team is comprised of TGA staff professionals who are recognized as experts in science-based nutrition communications. Read more on the About page.

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