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:
Excitotoxins have been found to dramatically promote cancer growth and metastasis… [MSG] also causes a cancer cell to become more mobile, and that enhances metastasis, or spread. When you increase the glutamate level, cancer just grows like wildfire….
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]
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My elderly husband who had early stage dementia had a 7 week course of antibiotics, after which he developed a sensitivity/allergy to MSG. Eight hours after consuming it, he had psychotic episodes that lasted three hours.
I found MSG in regular ground beef at Safeway the other day. So be inn the lookout this maybe not exactly a wholefood exactly but beware they are sneaking it in everywhere.
Jim, comment on what you know.
As an Asthmatic, I am highly sensitive to MSG. I was hospitalized with an severe asthma attack, intubated and was in a coma, due to consuming food that I did not know had MSG. Still now, I am allergic to MSG.
I am sure you would not say to a loved one or a friend “You are idiots, it’s all in your heads,” if they happen to go through an allergic reaction by consuming anything with MSG, or have any other food allergies.
I do not wish ill on anyone, but with you, I will make an exception. I do hope that “you” have an allergic reaction to anything you eat or touch, and wind up hospitalized. Perhaps then, you would understand. However, I doubt it. Your closed mindedness would not allow you to think outside the box. On the contrary, it would leave you the same, an insensitive stupid idiot. Stupid is as stupid does, say and think.
Please read Fat, Stressed & Sick. Katherine Reid, PHD
Then tell me how angry you are going to get. We, as consumers need to boycott all processed food and put a dent in Big Ag/Foods profits. It is the only way to change. They have been adding this crap since the 1950’s and have profited off of us and have slipped through the loopholes since. Big Pharma swoops in to offer a pill or injection to help you lose weight again profitting off of us! Disgusting. The Federal Government who we pay taxes to, allows this cycle of profit & abuse to continue and then blames the consumer for being flawed? Fat, stressed, sick, addicted, mentally ill, etc. STOP!
How did you ‘find’ it? Was it labeled?
I am so fustrated , angry, sad…….
Iam so sensitive to msg , the smallest bit makes me see flashing lights, have palpitations for days on end, mental fog, trouble walking, trouble finding words, hypertension and sometimes explosive diarrhea! People who never had this and come into these areas where we look for support from one another….to bash us make me loose hope in humanity. I wouldnt wish this on my worst enemy!
There is no doubt msg is bad I get diarrhea almost immediately after eating out in restaurants that use it.If you ask them if they use it they can’t tell because they hide it under so many different names.Take a snack with you that you know is safe if you will be out and not near a bathroom.The law should be changed so people don’t have to suffer like this
I can relate and sympathize with you… There are times when restaurants don’t check ingredients carefully for MSG. (and I feel like such a pain in the neck even asking them!) and I then get cramping and diarrhea to the point where I have to be hospitalized for a couple of days due to dehydration.
And many people online say, (as one guy told me just today) “Nonsense. MSG is completely safe.”
So very sorry to hear of your extreme difficulties – and I can certainly relate… MSG gives me bad cramping and explosive diarrhea to the extent that I pass out, have to be taken by ambulance to the hospital where I have stayed for three days.
I agree that it’s frustrating when people roll their eyes and say that I’m just greatly mistaken when I’ve tried to gently raise awareness of MSG. Just today, a guy wrote, “Nonsense. MSG is completely safe.” For HIM, maybe, but it’s life-threatening for me!
Gelatin. Listed ALWAYS containe MSG. Vital Proteins Beef Gelatin Powder lists ONLY Bovine hide gelatin as single ingredient. So ZERO MSG?! This list is a bit confusing…
4 hours after I eat free MSG in any quantity my heart rate jumps to 200 and can stay there for more than a day. No drugs have so far have worked to reduce my heart rate. MSG is everywhere, probably the biggest culprit is Citric Acid – yet again manufactured from corn not pineapples. This problem is called excitotoxicity. Anyone who eats free MSG will over excite neurons, and these neurons always die.
Just buy whole foods, untreated fresh vegetables and avoid the stock cubes. Also beware of things like frozen seafood and tins of vegetables as they often contain MSG.
MSG IS SAFE. YOU’RE ALL IDIOTS.
No we are not idiots…you are just ignorant.
That is an idiotic statement. I will end up in the ER with a serious migraine after eating food with MSG. Some people are highly allergic just like a peanut butter or bee sting allergy. Have some compassion. People like you are what’s wrong with humanity. You are part of the problem.
I agree with you 100%…MSG gives me killer headaches…have to watch what I take in, especially at restaurants, so sometimes my meal is kinda bland, lol…but that’s ok, sure beats the headache and possible diarrhea….
Jim, comment on what you know.
As an Asthmatic, I am highly sensitive to MSG. I was hospitalized with an severe asthma attack, intubated and was in a coma, due to consuming food that I did not know had MSG. Still now, I am allergic to MSG.
I am sure you would not say to a loved one or a friend “You are idiots, it’s all in your heads,” if they happen to go through an allergic reaction by consuming anything with MSG, or have any other food allergies.
I do not wish ill on anyone, but with you, I will make an exception. I do hope that “you” have an allergic reaction to anything you eat or touch, and wind up hospitalized. Perhaps then, you would understand. However, I doubt it. Your closed mindedness would not allow you to think outside the box. On the contrary, it would leave you the same, an insensitive stupid idiot. Stupid is as stupid does, say and think.
Tomatoes have a form of msg that is not chemicals. The man-made msg is made from man-altered substances. They are very harmful chemicals that alter brains. If you do the research by scientists who are not paid-off by those who profit from them, you will find out how harmful they are. Look specifically at the ingredients fed to the control groups in studies that make msg look harmless.
I too suffered badly 72 hrs to minute after eating 1 bite of something that had msg severe headaches swollen face and legs blurry eyesight the worst is a headaches I went to the hospital once since the doctor didn’t want to give me my normal prescription which is relpax(it’s the only drug I know that will take it away within a half an hour) anyway when I went to the hospital they gave me three different drugs one was intravenous they had me so drugged I fell asleep they actually woke me up and told me I had to go home cuz I needed the bed stumbling down the hall making it to my car was it sure and I still had the damn headache I don’t know how I made it halfway home I had to stop at a friend’s house and she had me lay down
I just want to tell you guys that not only is it in our food citric acid isn’t bad thing it’s another name for MSG and if you notice it’s in our soaps our shampoos our deodorants and yes and some of our vitamins be very careful this is China trying to over rule us.
Either some of the American companies aren’t aware or they don’t care
whatever
You folks really need to loosen the girdle a bit.
American companies are fully aware that they are poisoning us for profit! They put MSG in vaccines! I am deathly allergic to MSG. I am a doctor and pissed that they poison us. We all need to sue the FDA. They know that if they addict us to sugar and then give us glutamic acid, it creates cancer. That’s how they plan to get rid of all of us. They plan for everyone to do it to themselves with their addictions to crap food. Sumatriptan is the least expensive medicine that gets rid of the migraine, but it does not get rid of the hypertension that happens from MSG. Mine goes to stroke level if I have a morsel of MSG. You must tell restaurants that you are deathly allergic to MSG and then they can be held legally liable if they poison you. The more we all insist on our food, being healthier, or we will not give them our business, businesses will change.
Thank you! Citric acid….it is in my bowel prep for a colonscopy! I am sick to death of people telling us msg allergy is in our heads! I am beyond fistrated
Thank you for the perfect reply. All you say is true. I have had trouble with since 25 and I am 81. Taught school for 25 years and could see what was happening to students that were affected by it. Very few understand. Thank you for your message and the items to not eat.
Is there a way to sue the FDA for allowing companies to manufactured products that contains MSG?
Oh I would love to know that to, because msg is a killer for me and I am sick of having to be a detective to eat!
Me too.. 17 years iv had an inflammatory problem that seems to show most in my saliva glands .. what are your symptoms please.. I’m so low at mo 🙁 hope you don’t mind me writing Kim upson
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.
If our food SNAP program didn’t take millions of lobbies bribes from Frito Lay and Pepsi/Coke, Americans with food insecurity would be healthier and happier.
Is it a conspiracy to make Americans unhealthy? Let’s start by allowing people to poison themselves and kids with salt , sugar and MSG from Frito lay with our tax money.
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
Thank you for your comment. I am extremely sensitive to MSG which triggers my migraines; since I was a pre-teen. True, MSG is both natural occurring and man-made. It’s a cheap chemical that offers manufacturers both flavor enhancement and increases/stabilize shelf-life for food products. I can no longer eat Chinese or Japanese food. The fermentation of Soy sauce naturally creates MSG.
I must respectfully 100% disagree with you!!! I suffer from MSG related migraines and have so my ENTIRE life, just because YOU and the people in YOUR immediate circle may not suffer from something, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. All I can say is you should be very grateful that you don’t suffer from migraines, it’s been a curse for me for almost fifty years…
Gerry….l.all you have to do is have our reactions and you would know for a certain that msg is a very dangerous additive. It makes me have flashing lights in my vision, trouble walking or forming words, an irregular heart heart and sometimes explosive diarrhea. My neurologist diagnosed me and I don’t need any literature to tell me he was 100% correct.
Glutmate made from seaweed was used in asian kitchen.
The newer one made from corn is the one we now have the most problems with
People can be sensitive to glutamate which occurs naturaly in potatoes seaweed tomatoes but msg made by humans that is causing the problems because it causes an overload of to much free glutamate in our bodies (free meaning glutamate atoms taken apart to get tp the part needed to make people want more which messes with our bodies). We need glutamate but like all other things our body needs not to little or to much. To little sun and we lack vit d to nuch sun and we burn our skin.
I saw program about mono sodium glutamate MSG on regular daily TV which implied everyone who has sensitivity or adverse reactions to MSG are basically imagining it!! I am obviously living in fantasy world as was my mum who was also sensitive to MSG (stated in her medical notes). Mind you there has been the odd occasion when I haven’t had any adverse reaction when I’ve braved a meal containing MSG. This has baffled me, so after seeing this program I did some research and discovered there are at least three methods of creating MSG. Naturally from plants, fermentation and lab produced including genetically modified so could be snippets of compound or food stuff that you are sensitive to. Apparently in the 70s the chemically produced MSG could be toxic if used in large doses. The current fermentation method used to produce it now could be fantastic ‘if’ correct bacterial properties used but we all know there are numerous naughty people out there just to make money!!!!
So in my mind this possibly innocent looking white powder could be a great product and bring your taste buds alive OR be like having a quick fix and cause short and long term detrimental effects, some minor and some beyond repair apparently. If bought from an unknown source ….well I’d hate to think what it’s mixed with coz even innocent vitamins often contain talc as bulking agent. Still at least you will smell like baby powder lol. Also I bet the laboratory the program chose to do tests, which looked scrupulously clean, used self produced MSG powder to conduct their findings whereas we aren’t so fortunate to have such reassurance or certainty!
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”
To the unbelievers…until it’s happened to you, you’ll always think it’s a big joke. I’m literally allergic to way too much. No one, in my family suffers from my long list. I came into this world crying due to colic & I’m guessing I’ll leave this world starving myself, to avoid MSG & a long list of other foods. I’m just thankful to have found this link. I wished I could connect with others tht struggle. For those who don’t suffer, I’d be thanking God ???? because this isn’t something ppl makeup for fun.
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.