MSG: The Risky Taste

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Recommended: what are the implications of labeling

Food additives have been around for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. They have been used for a wide variety of purposes: to preserve food to keep it from spoiling, to enhance flavor, or the simple purpose of making food look more presentable to whoever is going to consume it. But the most prominent food additive is what is called M.S.G. This food additive, whose name is short for Monosodium Glutamate, has been in the U.S. for over 60 years. This is a food additive that has been known to kill, which is why it should be removed from the market in the first place, or at least be heavily regulated by the FDA. One might not care about this topic because they think it is nothing to get worked up over, but MSG is not something to laugh about. Before anything too radical happens, one must follow the first rule of engaging the enemy; know more about the enemy, in this case, MSG. There are things that need to be known about MSG’s history and origin, the chemical composition, the risks of having it in the body, such as diseases linked to consuming it, people that want to keep it in the market (yes, there are people who want to keep this stuff), food that contains MSG, and a solution to the many problems it causes. With these key points in mind, let's explore the origins of MSG and the problems associated with it. MSG, by itself is a type of sodium salt of glutamic acid, a naturally occurring amino acid. This is not just "salt" like in table salt, but something different altogether. In terms of appearance, it resembles a white powdery substance. While it doesn't technically have a melting point, when heated it decomposes. But that's assuming it's not put into any foods beforehand. MSG's molecular formula is C5H8NNaO4. That's five parts... ... middle of paper ... ...Web. 28 Sep 2011. Lee, Pamela. "MSG: For you and me?." www.Moscowfood.coop. Crown Publishers, Inc, 1997. Web. 27 Sep 2011. Linnell, John. "Hidden Names & Symptoms of MSG Poisoning." Asparteme.ca. Canadian Internet Registration Authority, 11 Feb 2011. Web. 28 Oct 2011. Offer, Avi. "The Cover-Up of Hidden MSG ." NaturalNews.com. GoDaddy.com, Inc., 12 Dec 2008. Web. 30 Sep 2011. Romanowski, Perry. "Monosodium Glutamate-Characteristics of MSG." Science.Org. Domains by Proxy, Inc., 14 Jan 2010. Web. 27 Oct 2011. Samuels, Jack. "History of invention and use of MSG." Truthinlabeling.com. Truth In Labeling Campaigning, 19 Feb 1999. Web. 27 Sep 2011. Thompson, Caroline. "Monosodium Glutumate Alternative." www.Livestrong.com. Demand Media Inc., 02 Sep 2011. Web. 3 Oct 2011. Zeller, Mick. "FDA Regulations." Say no to MSG. GoDaddy.com, Inc, 22 Sep 2010. Web. 27 Oct 2011.

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