Does Italian food contain MSG?
Italian restaurants don't traditionally use MSG but their food is absolutely loaded with glutamate. The body treats all glutamate the same, whether it comes from MSG or is naturally present in food.
How can I tell if a food has MSG in it? Food manufacturers must declare when MSG is added, either by name or by its food additive code number 621, in the ingredient list on the label of most packaged foods. For example, MSG could be identified as: 'Flavour enhancer (MSG)', or.
Common foods that contain MSG
Animal-based protein: chicken, beef, salmon, mackerel, scallops, crab, shrimp. Cheese: Parmesan, Emmenthal, cheddar, Roquefort.
Condiments like ketchup, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, mustard, and salad dressings have been known to contain MSG to boost flavor. Many types of chips and related snacks include MSG to enhance the salty, savory flavors that they're known for.
Our food recipes do not use added MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) and, based on information from our suppliers, MSG is not added to any of the ingredients we use. However, certain foods and ingredients naturally contain glutamate or glutamic acid (such as tomatoes, milk, cheese, mushrooms and certain yeasts and proteins).
Parmesan cheese, mushrooms and tomatoes are particularly high in this substance. MSG is also used as an additive in processed foods and fast food, especially Chinese food.
Chick-Fil-A's grilled chicken has the additive “Yeast Extract”, which contains free glutamic acid, the main component of MSG. This is hidden MSG, disguised by another name. This ingredient is purely used to make you crave their food and eat more than you should.
- Headache.
- Flushing.
- Sweating.
- Face pressure or tightness.
- Lack of feeling (numbness), tingling or burning in the face, neck and other areas.
- Quick, fluttering heartbeats.
- Chest pain.
- Feeling sick (nausea)
It also has an equally familiar-sounding ingredient: monosodium glutamate, or MSG. McDonald's doesn't currently use MSG in the other items that compose its regular, nationally available menu—but both Chick-fil-A and Popeyes list it as an ingredient in their own chicken sandwiches and chicken filets.
Fresh tomatoes are a glutamate source, and have up to 250 milligrams of glutamate per 100 grams. Be sure to avoid tomato sauce, tomato soup, and tomato-based dishes as well.
What is the closest thing to MSG?
...
The 5 Best Substitutes for MSG
- 1 – Soy Sauce.
- 2 – Fish Sauce.
- 3 – Beef Stock.
- 4 – Cheese.
- 5 – Dulse.
Most of the oyster sauces available on the market contain added monosodium glutamate (MSG). In recent years MSG-free varieties can also be found.

Drinking several glasses of water may help flush the MSG out of your system and shorten the duration of your symptoms.
Beside its flavour enhancing effects, MSG has been associated with various forms of toxicity (Figure 1(Fig. 1)). MSG has been linked with obesity, metabolic disorders, Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, neurotoxic effects and detrimental effects on the reproductive organs.
MSG – Asian foods, particularly those using soy sauce, often contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), which can trigger inflammation. It's also common in some fast foods, canned soups and salad dressings.
Dash Original Blend Seasoning Blend, Salt Free, No MSG, .
The addition of MSG in foods is “generally recognized as safe,” says the FDA site. MSG is found in Chinese cuisine -- but also in tomatoes, cheese, canned soup, and a range of foods.
Does Wendy's use MSG? While Wendy's chicken has always been MSG free, Wendy's also removed artificial flavors, preservatives and colors from artificial sources. Wendy's created one of the industry's first Animal Welfare Advisory Councils in 2001 to review and strengthen animal care standards by suppliers.
MSG has been shown to cause lesions on the brain especially in children. These lesions cause cognitive, endocrinological and emotional abnormalities. In children, excess glutamate affects the growth cones on neurons.
Currently, mainland China is the world's largest MSG producer and consumer. In 2021, mainland Chinese production and consumption accounted for the majority of both world production and consumption. Mainland China is also the world's largest exporter of MSG.
How long does MSG stay in your system?
MSG-induced symptoms are typically not severe and subside on their own entirely within 72 hours. 1 However, if you have mild symptoms do not appear to resolve or continue worsening after 48 hours, speak to your healthcare provider, as it may be something more serious.
Yes, some of our dishes do contain MS.
MSG is not used in any of the Taco Bell products we sell.
In 2015, Pizza Hut became the first national pizza restaurant to remove artificial flavors and colors from its core pizzas. On top of that, Pizza Hut has already eliminated partially hydrogenated oils (also known as artificial trans fats) and MSG.
Here's the good news: MSG contains two-thirds less the amount of sodium compared to table salt, so if you're looking to lower your sodium intake, reaching for MSG to flavor your food can help you eat less sodium.