When it comes to MSG, some people may doubt about its safety even though it has commonly been sold and used worldwide for over 110 years. However, misunderstanding and rumour regarding MSG still exists. To consume and use MSG confidently, let’s see how national and global food assessment organisations talk about the safety of MSG.
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) is an umami seasoning consisting of “Sodium”, which is naturally found in salt, and “Glutamate”, an Amino Acid which is a component of protein. Adding appropriate amounts of MSG in cooking will make your meal tastier because the umami taste from MSG helps promote interest in food by blending flavouring factors, including a distinct taste of sour, sweet or salty, for a better and more well-balanced of taste. When we consume MSG-added food, our bodies will receive Glutamate and Sodium from MSG. This is similar to when we eat food that has protein and salt. No matter what source of Glutamate is from, it is the same Glutamate and our bodies cannot differentiate it.
MSG has been deemed safe for consumers by various national and global food assessment organisations, including: the joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) placed “MSG in the safest category”; the Food & Drug Administrations (FDA) in various countries have determined that MSG is a food additive that can be used in cooking generally”; the US FDA classified MSG as GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe) and put MSG in the same category as other seasonings such as salt, sugar, and vinegar. In addition, the expert committee of the Food Safety, Food Science and Technology Association of Thailand (FoSTAT) reaffirmed that “MSG is safe for consumption as a food ingredient”.
The Online TV programme entitled “Wittaya Ta Sawang” Season 2 hosted by Ajarn Jessada Denduangboripant, a professor from the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, explained that: “MSG is not harmful, it’s just one kind of seasonings that enhances the delicious taste when added into food.” [วิชาการ ดอท คอม (8 มกราคม 2557) วิทยาตาสว่าง season 2: ตอนผงชูรส (Video File)] Check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-uGM1gfZyE to find out more about MSG safety.
However, consuming too much of anything is always not good for you. Balanced consumption is always best and the most important thing is to consider the facts before making a judgement on anything, including MSG.
FAO is Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
WHO is World Health Organization of the United Nations.
