PROPAGANDA

John Henshell internal communications sample (one of several articles about MSG, this preceded the anticipated “60 Minutes” segment attacking MSG by at least a month)

FDA SAYS MSG IS GRAS (O.K.)

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) has been on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) GRAS list since the list was originated in 1958. GRAS stands for "generally recognized as safe." Boyds food technologist Don Wood says. “MSG is one of the more thoroughly studied food additives.”

MSG falls under the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations definition of flavor enhancer: a substance added to supplement, enhance, or modify the original taste or aroma of a food without imparting a characteristic taste or aroma of its own. Don points out that MSG “enhances savory aspects” of flavor.

In the late 1960s, MSG came under attack, and studies did not prove it to be unsafe. However, it was discontinued from use in baby food when it was discovered that babies didn’t yet have the special enzymes in the liver that break down MSG. Once again, the media is publicizing MSG as a potentially dangerous substance. An editorial by a chef in the August issue of Oregon Hospitality News called it “an insidious ingredient” because restaurants don’t know what foods actually contain MSG. You will need to know the facts in case a customer has concerns about this natural substance. This week’s spice article is on MSG (see page 2), and What’s Brewing will be publishing information on Boyds products without MSG and other alternatives.

Although there is no proof that the “allergy” exists, MSG is blamed for causing “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome,” a collection of symptoms that may include nausea, headache, dizziness, loss of breath, and pressure in the forehead or chest. Don Wood says he knows of no double-blind study that proves an MSG allergy exists.

The Glutamate Association of the United States says MSG has proven to be a safe and extremely effective flavor enhancer that increases the palatability of a wide variety of nutritional foods. By making food tastier, MSG makes eating more pleasurable.