Monosodium Glutamate

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), also known as sodium glutamate, is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, one of the most abundant naturally occurring non-essential amino acids.[Manuf. 1]

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers the addition of MSG to foods to be 'generally recognized as safe' (GRAS). Although many people identify themselves as sensitive to MSG, in studies where such individuals were given MSG or a placebo, scientists have not been able to consistently trigger reactions.[Gov. 2] The European Union classifies it as a food additive that is only permitted to be used in certain foods and is subject to specific quantitative limits. MSG has the HS code 29224220 and the E number E621.[Gov. 3]

The L-glutamate form of MSG confers the same umami taste of free L-glutamate naturally found in foods. Industrial food manufacturers market and use MSG as a flavor enhancer because it balances, blends and rounds the total perception of other tastes