Everyone knows that some people react to the food ingredient monosodium glutamate. 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 has been compiled over the last 20 years from consumer reports and information provided by manufacturers and food technologists.
It’s important to note the difference between naturally occurring glutamate and synthetically produced MSG. Glutamate refers to a number of forms of glutamic acid, an amino acid found naturally in many foods (and in our bodies). MSG is a man-made, highly concentrated flavor enhancer and can cause unpleasant reactions. When looking for MSG in a label look for terms such as:
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Textured Vegetable Protein
Autolyzed Yeast Extract
Maltodextrin
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
Sodium Caseinate
Whey Protein Isolate
