I hear about MSG only in association with Chinese food and that it is bad for you. What exactly is it and do other foods use this, and if it isn't good for you, why do people keep eating stuff with it?

mochyn

developed in 1908 by kikunae ikeda from kelp who noticed that it made food taste better.as to the effects it is safe to use as there is no proof that it is bad for you as the symptoms have been proved to be pschyosomatic.FDA says it is safe to use Oct 19 03, 6:44 PM

majorstirrer1

it causes cancer Oct 19 03, 6:51 PM

MaggieG 5

This site looked quite interesting http://www.truthinlabeling.org/ Oct 19 03, 7:02 PM

mochyn

A food writer Jeffrey Steingarten wrote an article "Why doesn't everybody in China have a headache" pointing out that in Japanand China where MSG is widely used ,people do not suffer any reactions at all.Go figure Oct 19 03, 7:13 PM

bluegill

Is msg monosodium glutamate? (Please forgive spelling) Oct 19 03, 7:18 PM

mochyn

Yes ,it is bluegill Oct 19 03, 7:20 PM

gmackematix

I have heard that MSG can bring on Chinese Restaurant Syndrome where diners have occasionally been known to have sharp stabbing pains in the left-hand side of the chest. The symptoms are basically similar to that of a heart attack. However, so long as the shock doesn't bring on a genuine coronary these pains are quite harmless! Oct 19 03, 8:50 PM

Hamlet.

Some Snack foods contain the stuff...And in China they do not eat the same "Chinese food" which we eat in the West, so dreaded MSG is not part of their diet - and they get no headaches from it. Oct 20 03, 11:04 AM

Senior Moments

MSG has very little flavour of its own, but it 'improves' or enhances the flavour of other foods it is used with. Some individuals seem to be sensitive to MSG, and exhibit what is known as 'Chinese Restaurant Syndrome' (because of its use in Asian cooking). The symptoms include headaches, chest pains, facial pressure, burning sensations, and sweating. The American FDA continues to list it as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe), but all foods containing MSG must state so on the label. Oct 20 03, 12:21 PM

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