Sources of processed free
glutamic acid (MSG)1
(Last updated June, 2010)
Everyone knows that some people get reactions after eating the
food ingredient monosodium glutamate --reactions that include migraine
headaches, upset stomach, fuzzy thinking, diarrhea, heart irregularities,
asthma, and/or mood swings. What many don’t know, is that more than 40
different ingredients contain the chemical in monosodium glutamate (processed
free glutamic acid) that causes these reactions. The following list of
ingredients that contain processed free glutamic acid has been compiled over
the last 20 years from consumers’ reports of adverse reactions and information
provided by manufacturers and food technologists.
Names
of ingredients that always contain processed free glutamic acid:
Glutamic acid (E
620)2, Glutamate (E 620) Monosodium
glutamate (E 621) Monopotassium
glutamate (E 622) Calcium glutamate
(E 623) Monoammonium glutamate (E 624) Magnesium
glutamate (E 625) Natrium
glutamate Yeast extract Anything
“hydrolyzed” Any
“hydrolyzed
protein” Calcium
caseinate, Sodium caseinate Yeast food, Yeast
nutrient Autolyzed yeast Gelatin Textured protein Vetsin Ajinomoto (1) Glutamic
acid found in unadulterated protein does not cause adverse
reactions. To cause adverse reactions, the glutamic acid must have been
processed/manufactured or come from protein that has
been fermented. (2)
E numbers are use in Europe in place of food additive names. |
Names
of ingredients that often contain or produce processed free
glutamic acid: Carrageenan (E
407) Bouillon and
broth Stock Whey protein Whey protein
concentrate Whey protein
isolate Any
“flavors” or
“flavoring” Maltodextrin Citric acid,
Citrate (E 330) Anything “ultra-pasteurized” Barley malt Pectin (E 440) Protease Anything “enzyme modified” Anything
containing
“enzymes” Malt extract Soy sauce Soy sauce extract Soy protein, Soy protein concentrate Soy protein
isolate Anything “protein fortified” Anything
“fermented” Seasonings |
The
following are ingredients suspected of containing or creating sufficient
processed free glutamic acid to serve as MSG-reaction triggers in HIGHLY
SENSITIVE people: Corn starch
Rice syrup Brown rice
syrup anything Vitamin enriched |
|
The following work synergistically with MSG to enhance
flavor. If they are present for flavoring, so is MSG. Disodium 5’-guanylate (E 627)
Disodium 5’-inosinate (E-631) Disodium
5'-ribonucleotides (E 635) |
Reminders
Low fat and no fat
milk products often contain milk solids that contain MSG and many dairy
products contain carrageenan, guar gum, and/or locust bean gum. Low fat
and no fat versions of ice cream and cheese may not be as obvious as yogurt,
milk, cream, cream cheese, cottage cheese, etc., but they are not exceptions.
Protein powders
contain glutamic acid, which, invariably, will be processed free glutamic acid
(MSG). Individual amino acids are not always listed on labels of protein
powders.
At present there is
an FDA requirement to include the protein source when listing hydrolyzed
protein products on labels of processed foods. Examples are hydrolyzed
soy protein, hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed pea protein, hydrolyzed whey
protein, hydrolyzed, corn protein. If a tomato, for example, were whole, it
would be identified as a tomato. Calling an ingredient tomato protein indicates
that the tomato has been hydrolyzed, at least in part, and that processed free
glutamic acid (MSG) is present.
Disodium guanylate and disodium inosinate are relatively expensive
food additives that work synergistically with inexpensive MSG. Their use
suggests that the product has MSG in it. They would probably not be used as
food additives if there were no MSG present.
MSG reactions have
been reported from soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners, and cosmetics, where MSG
is hidden in ingredients with names that include the words
"hydrolyzed," "amino acids," and/or
"protein." Most sun block
creams and insect repellents also contain MSG.
Drinks, candy, and
chewing gum are potential sources of hidden MSG and/or aspartame, neotame. and AminoSweet (the new
name for aspartame). Aspartic acid, found in neotame,
aspartame (NutraSweet), and AminoSweet, ordinarily
causes MSG type reactions in MSG sensitive people. (It would appear that
calling aspartame "AminoSweet" is
industry's method of choice for hiding aspartame.) We have not seen Neotame used widely in the United States.
Aspartame will be
found in some medications, including children's medications. For questions
about the ingredients in pharmaceuticals, check with your pharmacist and/or
read the product inserts for the names of “other” or “inert” ingredients.
Binders and fillers
for medications, nutrients, and supplements, both prescription and
non-prescription, enteral feeding materials, and some
fluids administered intravenously in hospitals, may contain MSG.
According to the
manufacturer, Varivax–Merck chicken pox vaccine (Varicella Virus Live), contains L-monosodium glutamate and
hydrolyzed gelatin, both of which contain processed free glutamic acid (MSG)
which causes brain lesions in young laboratory animals, and causes endocrine
disturbances like OBESITY and REPRODUCTIVE disorders later in life. It
would appear that most, if not all, live virus vaccines contain some
ingredient(s) that contains MSG.
Reactions to MSG
are dose related, i.e., some people react to even very small amounts.
MSG-induced reactions may occur immediately after ingestion or after as much as
48 hours. The time lapse between ingestion and reaction is typically the
same each time for a particular individual who ingests an amount of MSG that
exceeds his or her individual tolerance level.
Remember: By food
industry definition, all MSG is "naturally occurring."
"Natural" doesn't mean "safe." "Natural"
only means that the ingredient started out in nature, like arsenic and
hydrochloric acid.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Information provided by the Truth
in Labeling Campaign
Web: www.truthinlabeling.org
Phone: 858-481-9333. e-mail:
adandjack@aol.com.