In Australia and New Zealand, no food additive — including MSG — is approved for use in food until its safety has been established by FSANZ. MSG and other glutamates are among a group of food additives that are generally permitted in foods, due to their safety.
McDonald's doesn't use MSG in its food that is on the national menu, and there are no updates from the company yet on whether the Crispy Chicken Sandwiches will be added to the menu permanently.
Food manufacturers must declare when MSG is added, either by name or by its food additive code number 621, in the ingredient list on the label of most packaged foods. For example, MSG could be identified as: 'Flavour enhancer (MSG)', or. 'Flavour enhancer (621)'.
It's typically found in some processed foods such as flavoured chips and two minute noodles but if you are unsure then check the food label. In Australia and New Zealand any packaged food that contains MSG must be declared on its label either by name or number (numbers 620-625 are all the forms of MSG found in foods).
In Australia and New Zealand, no food additive — including MSG — is approved for use in food until its safety has been established by FSANZ. MSG and other glutamates are among a group of food additives that are generally permitted in foods, due to their safety.
"Some of our food does contain MSG but rest assured, it's only present at levels that are safe for the general population," the fried chicken chain says on its website. "It's a recognised flavour enhancer that also occurs naturally in foods such as meat, fish, milk, vegetables, fruits and cheese."
In many countries MSG goes by the name “China salt”. Beside its flavour enhancing effects, MSG has been associated with various forms of toxicity (Figure 1(Fig. 1)). MSG has been linked with obesity, metabolic disorders, Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, neurotoxic effects and detrimental effects on the reproductive organs.
Here is the response from Kraft 'MSG is not added to Vegemite, however the yeast extract used as an ingredient is known to contain naturally occurring glutamates. One type of glutamate is MSG (monosodium glutamate).
In general, avoiding processed foods is optimal for health, and since MSG is most often an additive in highly processed foods, choosing to avoid foods with added MSG—such as canned soups, processed meats, fast food, and frozen Chinese food entrees—is ultimately a good choice for overall nutrition.
Monosodium glutamate, commonly known as glutamate or MSG, is used in MAGGI as a flavor enhancer. MSG is produced by the fermentation of starch, sugar beets, sugar cane or molasses. MSG is present naturally in many foods like tomatoes, mushrooms, cheese, and meat. Our bodies also produce glutamate naturally.
Maggi sauce is a 19th-century Swiss creation, a general flavor enhancer now made with MSG, sweeteners and extracts.
Government organizations around the world have listed MSG as safe to eat. This includes the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which lists MSG as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS).
MSG enhances the savory and contrasting flavors of many chips. It's also why your chips may taste a little saltier, aside from sodium content. Many types of corn and potato chips may contain MSG, but snack mixes, like trail mix, may also list it as an ingredient on the label.
Monosodium glutamate can be found simply labeled as MSG or under the brand name Ac'cent in the supermarket's spice aisle. The brand Ajinomoto is sold at Asian grocery stores and online.
McDonald's does not use MSG in products on its national menu currently and lists ingredients in its national menu on its website, according to the company.
Condiments like ketchup, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, mustard, and salad dressings have been known to contain MSG to boost flavor. Many types of chips and related snacks include MSG to enhance the salty, savory flavors that they're known for.
Common Foods that Contain MSG
MSG is often found in cured foods such as ham, anchovies and other tinned fish. Many processed and packaged foods also contain MSG, including instant ramen, deli meats, frozen meals, condiments, potato chips and cookies.
No MSG, 100% natural ingredients! For many Australians, Chicken Salt conjures up all sorts of nostalgic childhood memories…
In addition, Pakistan's Supreme Court imposed a nationwide ban on the sale, import, and export of MSG in March 2018 on the grounds that it was hazardous to human health.
Myth: MSG is high in salt, or sodium
Unlike regular table salt, which is 40% sodium, MSG contains only 12% sodium, which is one-third the amount in table salt. Researchers have also explored MSG as a viable alternative to salt to reduce sodium intake and improve public health through a reduced risk of hypertension.
Chinese food and soups contain monosodium glutamate (MSG) as the main addictive ingredient. A sensitive individual may suffer from headache, giddiness, sweating, abdominal pain, and urticaria within a few hours of consumption of MSG.
The addition of MSG in foods is “generally recognized as safe,” says the FDA site. MSG is found in Chinese cuisine -- but also in tomatoes, cheese, canned soup, and a range of foods.
What does MSG do? MSG (monosodium glutamate) adds pure umami to foods which is the fifth basic taste after sweet, sour, salty and bitter. If part of the salt in food is replaced with MSG, its umami taste compensates for the loss of saltiness making even the low-salt dishes palatable.