MSG... What is it? Where is it found?

Per Wikipedia: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a chemical compound.
Industrial food manufacturers market and use MSG as a flavor enhancer because it balances, blends, and rounds the total perception of other tastes.

Trade names of monosodium glutamate include Ac'cent, Aji-No-Moto, and Vetsin. 
Other names to look for on labels that refer to MSG also are:

• Hydrolyzed plant protein, 
• Hydrolyzed food starch, 
• Hydrolyzed food protein, 
• Monosodium glutamate, 
• Natural flavor, 
• Vegetable protein.

A flavor enhancer, commonly added to Chinese food, canned vegetables, soups and processed meats. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified MSG as a food ingredient that's "generally recognized as safe," the use of MSG remains controversial. For this reason, when MSG is added to food, the FDA requires that it be listed on the label.

Some people have reactions to the use of MSG.  Symptoms are usually mild and don't require treatment. Researchers acknowledge that a small percentage of people may have short-term reactions to MSG. The only way to prevent a reaction is to avoid foods containing MSG.

These symptoms, as listed on the Mayo Clinic website, include:

• Headache
• Flushing
• Sweating
• Facial pressure or tightness
• Numbness, tingling or burning in the face, neck and other areas
• Rapid, fluttering heartbeats (heart palpitations)
• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Weakness

Foods to avoid are:
Many packaged, frozen, processed, dried and canned foods may contain MSG, but those foods that most consistently contain MSG include:

• Bouillons,
• Consomme, 
• Dips,
• Hod dogs,
• Fish and shellfish (canned, jarred),
• Meats (canned),
• Salad Dressings,
• Miso (soybean paste),
• Luncheon meats,
• Soups, 
• Sauces,
• Stocks,
• Soybeans (roasted or boiled),
• Soy sauce
• Tempeh,
• Stocks,
• Stews.

Restaurant Foods:
The packaged, frozen, processed, dried and canned foods listed above may also be served at restaurants.  In addition to those above, look out for the following restaurant foods that most consistently contain MSG.

• Cheese sauces,
• Luncheon meats,
• Soups,
• Sauces (on meats and poultry, in particular)
• Stews, 
• Hot dogs,
• Oriental dishes.

Deli Foods:
Many deli food contain MSG.  To determine if a food has MSG, do not rely on the counter-person's opinion. Ask to see a label yourself. If a food item is "homemade" by the deli, either get the information from a deli person who knows and who you can trust or, as an alternative, simply assume the food does indeed contain MSG.

Most common foods at Deli's containing MSG are:

• luncheon meats, 
• flavored cream cheeses,
• dips, 
• cold deli salads (tuna, chicken, and others)  

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