The Safety of MSG

"An Update on MSG Regulatory Affairs and Safety"
By: Andrea Platzman, MS, RD, CDN
Assistant Manager, Public Affairs and Nutritional Services
of Ajinomoto USA, Inc.
(presented at the 1997 CAMS Semiannual Scientific meeting,
under the theme Chinese diet in medicine and as medicine)

The FASEB report of 1995 concluded that MSG is safe for the vast majority of people and is not linked to any serious, long-term medical problems.

The FASEB report had also suggested additional research be conducted on the possible effects of MSG on people with asthma. Since that report two abstracts of recent studies were presented at this years' American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Both studies join the previous body of work which concluded that MSG induced asthma does not exist.

Both the FDA and the FASEB report surmised that there is no difference between the naturally occurring free glutamate, such as those found in mushrooms and soy sauce and manufactured free glutamate such as that in MSG and hydrolyzed proteins. Currently, if a retail product contains MSG, it must always be listed on the ingredient statement. However, other glutamate rich foods, such as soy sauce are listed by their common names and not as a source of glutamate. Therefore, FDA is considering additional labeling requirements to include these glutamate rich foods. Additionally, FDA is considering defining what a "no-MSG" claim or a "no-MSG added" claim is and when it can be used. Significant comments from a wide range of industry, academic and medical sources voiced strong opposition against additional glutamate labeling. Ajinomoto's opposition comments were:
• MSG is safe
• MSG's safety record would be discredited
• Low standards for future label initiatives would be established
• Additional glutamate labeling is contrary to public interest
• The existing regulatory framework is satisfactory
• Public education on other high glutamate containing foods
• A clear definition of "no-MSG" and "no-MSG added" claims

If FDA proceeds to define a "no-MSG" claim or a "no added MSG" claim, it will first
impact retail, but will likely be extended to the restaurants and the food service industries
This would be consistent with FDA's rulings on claims, since health claims targeting retail
foods have now been extended to the restaurant industry.