Accent Flavor Enhancer

The dangers of MSG

Heather Little-White, PhD, Contibutor

MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is a chemical additive commonly used by the food industry as a 'flavour enhancer'. Many persons know it by the brand name, 'accent'. Some people swear by it and are totally at a loss to flavour their pot if they are out of MSG supplies.

A flavour enhancer is a substance that is added to a food to supplement or enhance its original taste or flavour. Another term commonly used for substances such as MSG is that of flavour potentiator. Chemically speaking, MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, thus the name monosodium glutamate. Glutamic acid was first isolated from gluten (wheat) and it was discovered as 'the essence' of the tastiness of great soups prepared in Japan.

Uses

MSG is used around the globe in soups and broths, sauces, gravies, and flavouring and spice blends. MSG is also present in a variety of processed foods such as canned and frozen meats, fish, poultry, vegetables, and ready-to-eat food plates, dressings, ketchup, mayonnaise, soy sauce, sausages, snacks, some processed cheeses, and soup powders for instant noodles. Although the main use of MSG around the world is as a flavour enhancer, local food providers could look at integrating natural, local flavour enhancers using herbs and spices.

Hidden sources

MSG usage is sometimes 'hidden' in food labels under different names. If you see 'natural flavourings', 'hydrolyzed protein' and 'spices' in a food label, you are probably seeing a hidden way of listing MSG in it. So, be aware of the presence of MSG on foods that you thought were MSG free.

Reactions to MSG in Food

Proponents of MSG claim that there are no health risks, but some people do experience an unpleasant reaction, known as MSG Symptom Complex. This includes headache, flushing, sweating, fluttering heartbeat, and shortness of breath.

Monosodium glutamate is known to cause a long list of side effects and health problems.

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Ac'cent flavor enhancer -
Review by ohmysohopeless : Don't blame others, just look at yourself

Westerners are so silly blaming MSG for all the problems they have. Just look at Japan, where this thing was discovered. After all these years using Ajinomoto (MSG), the nation still maintains a healthier population, who lives longer, has less health problems, and are generally thinner. All those westerners who blame ANYTHING for all their health problems, just stop eating too much of their own crap (pizza, McDonald's, etc., etc.). Just like anything else, if used judiciously, this thing is totally okay.

Ac'cent flavor enhancer -
Review by Deb K. Das "Deb K Das" : Excellent peoduct-- in mega size canister

The product was wxcellent-- and especially helpful to get, especially because,for soe reason, the local stores were either out of the prduct or were not stocking it-- I don't know why. Another helpful feature-- you can obtain these products as individual items, whereas the grocery stores (like the local Safeway) will only supply if you order $50+ at one time! The only disadvantage-- the S & H is sometimes orihibitive, addin 50% or even 100% to item cost. Also, the local Post Office or the Apt Mgr's office can be uncooperative-- in a couple of cases, I was informed that the item had been sent back because no one had come to pick it up ! You need to take structer action, possibly fines or penalties, to prevent this kind of abuse; this is not Amazon's fault, but a problem nevertheless for your customers.

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