Monosodium glutamate

What this is

MSG has a long safety-review history, but regulators describe it differently. FDA says added MSG is generally recognized as safe, and U.S. regulations list monosodium glutamate among common ingredients regarded as safe for intended use under good manufacturing practice. JECFA assigned glutamic acid and glutamate salts, including MSG, a group ADI of “not specified,” reflecting low toxicological concern at normal use levels. EFSA took a more cautious approach in 2017: it derived a group ADI of 30 mg/kg body weight per day for glutamic acid and glutamates and recommended review of EU maximum permitted levels because some high-exposure groups could exceed that safe-intake level. Controlled studies have not consistently reproduced reactions in self-identified MSG-sensitive people, but regulators acknowledge mild, temporary symptoms may occur in some people after large single doses, especially without food.

Safety Review

The health areas reviewed when evaluating an ingredient. This does not mean the ingredient is proven to cause harm.

Regulators agree that MSG has low overall toxicity at customary use levels, and EFSA found no genotoxicity concern. The caution is dose and sensitivity: controlled studies have not consistently reproduced reactions in self-identified MSG-sensitive people, but agencies acknowledge that mild transient symptoms can occur after large single doses, especially without food. EFSA also set a group ADI for glutamates based on animal neurodevelopmental data and estimated that some high-exposure groups could exceed it.