Unfortunately, MSG has not yet been banned as an ingredient in the food industry. Even worse, manufacturers have found ways to conceal it so as to mislead consumers into believing that what they are buying is healthy.
As food manufacturers are not obliged to state that their product contains free glutamic acid, the main ingredient in monosodium glutamate, on the labels of their products, today you can find free glutamic acid in over 40 ingredients commonly used in food processing.
These are some of the hidden names of MSG:
- Glutamate (E 620)
- Calcium Glutamate (E 623)
- Sodium Caseinate
- Yeast Nutrient
- Autolyzed Yeast
- Monoammonium Glutamate (E 624)
- Yeast Extract
- Soy Protein Isolate
- Textured Protein
- Ajinomoto
- Monopotassium Glutamate (E 622)
- Natrium Glutamate
- Monosodium Glutamate (E 621)
- Anything hydrolyzed
- Magnesium Glutamate (E 625)
- Gelatin
- Yeast Food
- Any hydrolyzed protein
- Calcium Caseinate
- Vetsin
- Whey Protein Isolate
- Anything: protein
In addition, the following ingredients also include or produce processed free glutamic acid:
- Maltodextrin
- Stock
- Carrageenan (E 407)
- Citric acid, Citrate (E 330)
- Soy sauce
- Pectin (E 440)
- Anything enzyme modified
- Any flavors or flavoring
- Protease
- Anything ultra-pasteurized
- Barley malt
- Bouillon and broth
- Malt extract
- Anything containing enzymes
- Seasonings
- Soy sauce extract
- Anything protein fortified
The best option you have as a consumer is to turn to organic foods, or ideally, grow your own garden at home!
