QandAs: Food

What are some names for Monosodium Glutamate other than MSG?

Answer:
Monosodium Glutamate, frequently known as MSG, is one of those substances that food producers and manufacturers seem to want to disguise, when it comes to ingredient labels. MSG is considered an excitotoxin, which may be involved in a number of health ailments and diseases, according to many sources.

MSG or Monosodium Glutamate is technically only one specific kind of a number of what are called free glutamates,

and current United States FDA labeling requirements are sketchy when it comes to how free glutamates in general must be identified.

One FDA ruling allows labels to read "No MSG", as long as that particular free glutamate (Mono-Sodium Glutamate) is not present; but other free glutamates may be present.

Some trade names for Monosodium Glutamate are:
-Ajinomoto (Aji no Moto - Japanese for "essence of taste")-
-Vetsin (common brand name in the Phillipines)
-Accent (common brand name in the U.S.)

There are more than a dozen ingredient names that Monosodium Glutamate is known to be part of; and there are over two dozen ingredient names that Monosodium Glutamate is possibly a part of.

These ingredients are known to contain Monosodium Glutamate:
    * Autolyzed yeast
    * Calcium caseinate
    * Gelatin
    * Glutamate
    * Glutamic acid
    * Hydrolyzed corn gluten
    * Hydrolyzed protein
    * Monopotassium glutamate
    * Monosodium glutamate
    * Natrium glutamate
    * Sodium caseinate
    * Textured protein
    * Yeast extract
    * Yeast food
    * Yeast Nutrient

These ingredients often contain free-glutamates:
    * Barley Malt
    * Bouillon
    * Broth
    * Carrageenan
    * Citric acid
    * Enzymes and enzyme-modified substances
    * Fermented substances
    * Flavoring
    * Flavors
    * Malt Extract
    * Malt flavoring
    * Maltodextrin
    * Natural flavor/flavorings
    * Natural pork/beef/chicken flavoring
    * Pectin
    * Protease
    * Protease enzymes
    * Protein-fortified substances
    * Seasonings
    * Soy protein
    * Soy protein isolate or concentrate
    * Soy sauce
    * Soy sauce extract
    * Stock
    * Ultra-pasteurized
    * Vegetable gum
    * Whey protein
    * Whey protein isolate or concentrate

Very possibly, there are even more variations and word-play tricks used to help disguise MSG or other free glutamates in our food products, since the debate is still going on, regarding health effects of MSG and similar substances.

For more food and other consumer product ingredient information, visit Quing-It.com, or GoodGuide.com.