"Ac'cent flavor enhancer", (Ajinomoto/vetsin/MSG) used in Chinese foods, is it harmful to children ?

13 responses so far ↓

• 1 Cherry Pie // Jul 7, 2008

  I have heard Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is kinda harmful if one has too much (not only for kids). So, just don't overdo it!

• 2 judiez_pets // Jul 7, 2008

  i don't know what is that flavour i could garanty it is just herbs

• 3 priyachirag // Jul 7, 2008

  The debate about the pros and cons of MSG (monosodium glutamate) is an ongoing on. Cooks in the 1950s and 1960s used this food additive mainly as a meat tenderizer under the brand name of Accent.

  MSG has since become more commonly associated with Chinese fast food (unless you ask for it to be omitted, which people often do). This flavor enhancer, used for almost a century, is made by fermenting starch, corn, sugar beets, molasses, or sugar cane to free naturally occurring glutamate; sodium salts of glutamate are then created that can be used to make certain foods (mostly meat dishes) more intensely flavorful.

  Glutamate itself is a naturally occurring amino acid found in many protein-rich foods, including cheese, milk, meat, walnuts, and mushrooms. This amino acid is also produced by the body and used in metabolism.

  MSG first came under criticism and study in the late 1960s, after people reported experiencing a variety of physical symptoms collectively known as the MSG symptom complex that includes severe headaches, a sensation of flushed burning skin in the neck and chest areas, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing. MSG is now the most exhaustively studied of all food additives. Based on research studies, both the American Medical Association and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have declared MSG to be safe for general consumption.

  Although MSG has been shown to be a safe food additive, some people have a sensitivity to products containing MSG. Because these folks experience headaches or difficulty breathing (most often, they have severe and poorly regulated asthma) after eating foods that contain MSG, the FDA requires the labeling of food products that have MSG added. Other sources of free glutamates that may also cause sensitivity reactions in people who experience trouble with MSG include:

  hydrolyzed protein
  sodium caseinate
  calcium caseinate
  autolyzed yeast
  yeast extract

  If severe symptoms are experienced regularly after eating any food, then consider a follow-up with an allergist to make sure that what you're eating isn't eating you.

• 4 Paddy // Jul 7, 2008

  It is harmful to children under 12 and also to pregnant women.

• 5 distantsungrrl // Jul 7, 2008

  MSG (monosodium glutamate) is actually used in most US-originated fast foods, frozen dinners etc. - not only in Chinese fast food. Glutamates also occur naturally in products such as mushrooms, kelp, legumes, nuts, tomatoes, and is found naturally in human bodies. So just don't overdo (but that's equally valid for just about anything, salt included).

• 6 Chef Orville // Jul 7, 2008

  MSG is only harmful to people that are allergic to it. I've been consuming MSG for years and it hasn't affected me in the slightest. The only way you'll know if it's harmful to your kids is if they try some.

• 7 j~lilac // Jul 7, 2008

  I suppose anything artificial is harmful in one way or the other.
  And I heard too much msg causes one's hair to drop!

• 8 tresyabedkowska // Jul 7, 2008

  it is. Especially in chinese food, with the chinese food syndrome, due to its over use of MSG. For me this makes chinese food the worst choice to eating out.
  For children, msg makes them addicted and then agitated.
  better children is totally avoided from : snack, instant noodle ( including chinese food) in fast food type.

• 9 livinhapi // Jul 7, 2008

  i guess it causes hypertension

• 10 Encyclopedia // Jul 7, 2008

  Friend, do not have a lot of it. Little for flavour is ok I guess.
  You can read more about this on the follwing link:
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_glutamate

• 11 MikeL // Jul 7, 2008

  you actually answered your question….!!
  Since the children like chinese fast food.
  Found = fond ??? right
  as for adictive,, the FDA would never permit it.

• 12 Boneless Chicken // Jul 7, 2008

  sad but true- the government approves this harmful man made chemical that is created to get you addicted to the food you are eating. it is known as a "flavor enhancer" but all it is is to keep you coming back for more. my father owns a chinese restraunt and i have tasted MSG by itself. and believe me, its not something you would sprinkle on your food. it taste horrible. its way saltier than that of salt. but the worst part is it tastes fake.
  a lot of ignorant people think that MSG is mainly associated with chinese food, but— look at the foods that you buy. MSG is in most snacks that people eat. potato chips, crackers, canned food. basically anything that comes spiced has MSG. look for MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE (MSG)

• 13 priya // Jul 7, 2008

  yes, i believe it is harmful for the children below the age group of 12 years, as this is the growing period for the children, but used in small quantity occasionally is fine. Don't over do it.