When consumers refer to MSG they are referring to PROCESSED FREE GLUTAMIC ACID. If glutamic acid hasn't been processed, it doesn't cause adverse reactions. MSG is MANUFACTURED (and it has 30 different names... why?) MSG is NOT FOUND NATURALLY IN FOOD or in the human body. MSG is NOT IDENTICAL TO FREE GLUTAMIC ACID THAT HAS NOT BEEN MANUFACTURED. The glutamic acid found naturally in human beings and other higher organisms is not MSG. MSG enters the body through the mouth, through the nose, through the skin, and through the placental barrier. MSG can enter the brain through the blood brain barrier, which is incomplete through childhood, never intact in certain regions of the hypothalamus, and is easily damaged by things like a blow to the head, high fever, seizures, stroke, and the normal process of aging. MSG is potentially toxic to everyone. MSG can cross the placental barrier. MSG is most toxic to the unborn, to infants, to children, and to the elderly. MSG is found in medications - including vaccines. MSG is found in infant formula - with the greatest amounts found in hypoallergenic formula. MSG is found in liquid supplements given to the elderly. MSG is being sprayed on crops as they grow. MSG is HIDDEN IN AND ON UNPROCESSED PRODUCE that has been sprayed with plant "growth enhancers," fertilizers, and fungicides that contain MSG. MSG is being used in waxes applied to raw fruits and vegetables. MSG is hidden in PROCESSED food in ingredients that give no clue to the fact that they contain MSG. The glutamate-industry-sponsored research that claims to "prove" that MSG is safe is flawed to the point of being fraudulent. One of their tricks (and there are many) is to use MSG in placebos. By law, the burden of proof that any food ingredient is safe lies with the manufacturer. But the glutamate-industry-sponsored research that CLAIMS to "prove" that MSG is safe is flawed to the point of being fraudulent. One of their tricks (and there are many) is to use MSG in placebos (http://www.truthinlabeling.org/l-manuscript.html). ------- monosodium glutamate, monosodium glutamate Avoiding MSG MSG is shorthand for processed free glutamic acid. It is a toxic substance used in food, drugs, cosmetics, and pesticide products without disclosure. The flavor enhancer know as "monosodium glutamate" was first brought to the United States in quantity in the late 1940s. Today, processed free glutamic acid (MSG), the toxic ingredient in "monosodium glutamate," is found in virtually all processed food. In 1997, MSG was introduced in a plant "growth enhancer" (AuxiGro) to be sprayed on growing crops, and today we know of no crop that the EPA has failed to approve for spraying. A number of people reported MSG reactions following ingestion of lettuce, strawberries, and the giant russet potatoes that came to market in 1997 -- people who didn't know that those crops might have been sprayed with a product that contained MSG. Processed free glutamic acid (MSG) is hidden in food, drugs, cosmetics, and pesticides. Hidden, we believe, because the glutamate industry understands that MSG is a toxic substance: that it causes adverse reactions, brain lesions, endocrine disorders and more. Furthermore, the glutamate industry must certainly understand, as we do, that if the MSG in food, drugs, and cosmetics was disclosed on product labels, people who reacted adversely to those products might realize that is was the MSG they were reacting to, and might, therefore, refrain from buying any products that contained MSG. http://www.truthinlabeling.org/hiddensources.html MSG is hidden in processed food http://www.truthinlabeling.org/formulacopy.html MSG is hidden in infant formula http://www.truthinlabeling.org/grapes.html MSG is hidden in wine. Yes, MSG is sprayed on California wine grapes http://www.truthinlabeling.org/msgsprayed.html MSG is sprayed on growing fruits, grains, and vegetables http://www.truthinlabeling.org/produce-1.html There have been reports of MSG reactions to produce http://www.truthinlabeling.org/organicP.html MSG is proposed for spray on organic crops and for use in organic food MSG is used in kosher food --and http://just- food.com/news_detail.asp?art=21589&dm=yes some MSG is made with enzymes that come from pork. MSG is already used in some (limited) organic food; and the food industry, represented by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), is pushing to expand its use. MSG is used in cosmetics. MSG is used in medications. Protein drinks often recommended for seniors, and enteral feeding products (tube feeding) are sources of MSG. Protein powders sold in health food stores are sources of MSG. nomsg.html MSG is hidden in food with labels that say "No Added MSG," "No MSG Added," and "No MSG" rapunzel.html Rapunzel misrepresents one of its products People who are sensitive to processed free glutamic acid (MSG), or those who simply would choose to avoid ingestion of toxic amino acids, need to understand that there are two other neurotoxic amino acids commonly used in food: aspartic acid and L-cysteine. Aspartic acid is found in the sugar substitute called "aspartame," often identified as "NutraSweet" or "Equal." L-cysteine is most often used in dough conditioners. Following are three web pages that focus in large part on the dangers of aspartame: http://www.holisticmed.com/ Holistic Healing http://www.dorway.com/ Say No to Aspartame http://www.aspartame.com/ Aspartame Consumption is Never Safe ________________________________ Truth in Labeling Campaign, P.O. Box 2532, Darien, IL 60561 mailto:adandjack@aol.com adandjack@aol.com 858/481-9333 http://www.truthinlabeling.org This page was last updated on February 11, 2001 Note: links without an underline are under construction. index.html Home page -- Write to us facts.html JUST THE FACTS Recog.html RECOGNIZING OR DIAGNOSING MSG SENSITIVITY sensitive.html Pinpointing MSG as a reaction trigger -- adversereactions.html A list of the adverse reactions to MSG Chem.html THE CHEMICAL THAT TRIGGERS MSG SENSITIVITY REACTIONS msgfacts.html Basic facts about MSG manufac.html Truly natural glutamic acid does not contain contaminants - - ge.html Genetically engineered bacteria are used to make some MSG http://just-food.com/news_detail.asp?art=21691&dm=yes A pork extract is used by Ajinomoto in some, if not all of its "monosodium glutamate." NAET.html DEALING WITH MSG SENSITIVITY Avoid.html AVOIDING MSG http://www.truthinlabeling.org/hiddensources.html Hidden in processed food -- Hidden in infant formula -- Sprayed on growing fruits, grains, and vegetables (http://www.truthinlabeling.org/produce-1.html There have been reports of MSG reactions to produce) http://www.truthinlabeling.org/cdpr.html Sprayed on California wine grapes -- http://www.truthinlabeling.org/organicP.html Proposed for spray on organic crops and for use in organic food http://www.truthinlabeling.org/nomsg.html Hidden in food with labels that say "No Added MSG," "No MSG Added," and "No MSG" http://www.truthinlabeling.org/rapunzel.html Falsely advertised as containing no MSG http://www.truthinlabeling.org/Dang.html DANGERS OF USING MSG http://www.truthinlabeling.org/humansatrisk.html An overview -- http://www.truthinlabeling.org/additional.html Selected references http://www.truthinlabeling.org/Brain.html Brain lesions -- http://www.truthinlabeling.org/Retinal.html Retinal degeneration -- http://www.truthinlabeling.org/Neuro.html Neuroendocrine disorders -- http://www.truthinlabeling.org/Adv.html Human adverse reactions http://www.truthinlabeling.org/Glut.html The Glutamate Cascade": Addiction, stroke, epilepsy, degenerative disorders, brain trauma, neuropathic pain, schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression http://www.truthinlabeling.org/Enemy.html MEET THE PEOPLE WHO PROFIT FROM THE SALE OF MSG http://www.truthinlabeling.org/l-manuscript.html An expose: The Toxicity/Safety of Processed Free Glutamic Acid (MSG): A Study in Suppression of Information http://www.truthinlabeling.org/defenders.htm Ihttp://www.truthinlabeling.org/defenders.html ndustry's defenders of the safety of MSG -- Science for sale? -- Deceptive industry practices http://www.truthinlabeling.org/Pol.html THE POLITICS THAT PROMOTE THE UNREGULATED USE OF MSG http://www.truthinlabeling.org/FDA.html The FDA's next move -- http://www.truthinlabeling.org/FDAasked.html FDA Refuses to Name Ingredients that Contain MSG -- http://www.truthinlabeling.org/Legislators2.html How the game is play http://www.truthinlabeling.org/l-manuscript.html An Expose: The Toxicity/Safety of Processed Free Glutamic Acid (MSG): A Study in Suppression of Information http://www.truthinlabeling.org/Regs.html REGULATIONS FOR LABELING MSG? http://www.truthinlabeling.org/presentregulations.html Regulations for labeling MSG http://www.truthinlabeling.org/facts.html JUST THE FACTS: Things the "glutes" and their friends at the EPA, FDA, and USDA don't want you to know. http://www.truthinlabeling.org/letters.html CONSUMERS TELL US THAT... http://www.truthinlabeling.org/ConsAd.html CONSUMER ADVOCACY -- MAKING THINGS HAPPEN http://www.truthinlabeling.org/truthinlabeling.html The Truth in Labeling Campaign -- http://www.truthinlabeling.org/involved.html Getting involved --http://www.truthinlabeling.org/suing.html Thinking of suing? --http://www.truthinlabeling.org/facts.html Just the facts http://www.truthinlabeling.org/forB.html COMMENTARY: FOR BETTER OR WORSE http://www.truthinlabeling.org/Resor.html GOVERNMENT RESOURCES ON LINE -------- Monosodium Glutamate, monosodium glutamate, MSG, glutamate, glutamic acid – separating MSG-fact from MSG-fiction HIDDEN SOURCES OF PROCESSED FREE GLUTAMIC ACID (MSG) NAMES OF INGREDIENTS THAT CONTAIN ENOUGH MSG TO SERVE AS COMMON MSG-REACTION TRIGGERS The MSG-reaction is a reaction to free glutamic acid that occurs in food as a consequence of manufacture. MSG-sensitive people do not react to protein (which contains bound glutamic acid) or any of the minute amounts of free glutamic acid that might be found in unadulterated, unfermented, food. These ALWAYS contain MSG Glutamate Glutamic acid Gelatin Monosodium glutamate Calcium caseinate Textured protein Monopotassium glutamate Sodium caseinate Yeast nutrient Yeast extract Yeast food Autolyzed yeast Hydrolyzed protein any protein that is hydrolyzed These OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing Carrageenan Maltodextrin Malt extract Natural pork Broth Malt flavoring flavoring Bouillon Natural chicken Soy protein isolate flavoring Natural beef Ultra-pasteurized Soy sauce flavoring Stock Barley malt Soy sauce extract Whey protein Pectin Soy protein concentrate Whey protein Protease Soy protein concentrate Whey protein isolate Protease enzymes Anything protein fortified Flavors(s) & Anything enzyme modified Anything fermented Flavoring(s) Natural flavor(s) Enzymes anything Seasonings & flavoring(s) (the word "seasonings") In ADDITION... The new game is to label hydrolyzed proteins as pea protein, whey protein, corn protein, etc. If a pea, for example, were whole, it would be identified as a pea. Calling an ingredient pea protein indicates that the pea has been hydrolyzed, at least in part, and that processed free glutamic acid (MSG) is present. Disodium guanylate and disodium inosinate are 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 to soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners, and cosmetics, where MSG is hidden in ingredients that include the words "hydrolyzed" and "amino acids." Low fat milk products often include milk solids that contain MSG. Drinks, candy, and chewing gum are potential sources of hidden MSG and of aspartame. Aspartic acid, found in aspartame (NutraSweet), ordinarily causes MSG type reactions in MSG sensitive people. Aspartame is found in some medications, including children's medications. Check with your pharmacist. 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. 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. Note: There are additional ingredients that appear to cause MSG reactions in ACUTELY sensitive people. A list is available by request. Remember: By FDA definition, all MSG is "naturally occurring." "Natural" doesn't mean "safe."