AI says the negative perception and fear surrounding MSG (monosodium glutamate) have been widely linked to anti-Asian racism and xenophobia.

[Yuletide]

AI Overview

The negative perception and fear surrounding MSG (monosodium glutamate) have been widely linked to anti-Asian racism and xenophobia.

.The scientific consensus is that MSG is safe for consumption, but the stigma has persisted due to historical cultural biases.

The MSG Controversy and Racism

• Origin of the Myth: The anti-MSG movement was largely spurred by a 1968 letter to the New England Journal of Medicine from a doctor who described symptoms like weakness and palpitations after eating Chinese food. This was labeled "Chinese restaurant syndrome" (later termed "MSG symptom complex"), a term that has since been widely discredited as unscientific and offensive.
• Cultural Context: This fear emerged during a time of significant anti-Chinese sentiment and racist laws in the United States, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act. Pre-existing prejudices made the public more receptive to rumors that "exotic" Chinese cuisine was dangerous or "dirty".
• Double Standard: While MSG was singled out in Chinese food, it has been, and continues to be, widely used without controversy in many Western processed foods like canned soups, chips (e.g., Doritos), and fast food. This double standard highlights that the issue was not the ingredient itself, but the cultural context of its use and the racial scapegoating of Chinese restaurants.
• Economic Impact: Chinese American restaurateurs faced real economic and reputational harm, with many forced to advertise "No MSG" to appeal to worried patrons.

Scientific Consensus

Contrary to the myths, MSG is a naturally occurring compound found in foods such as tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and mushrooms. It is an effective flavor enhancer that provides an "umami" (savory) taste.

Leading health and food safety organizations worldwide, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), classify MSG as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS).

Numerous high-quality studies have failed to consistently show that MSG causes the alleged symptoms in controlled settings.

Today, chefs and activists are working to debunk these myths and redeem the ingredient to fight anti-Asian stigma.

 

[Yuletide]

Manufacturer's removed MSG from their ingredient list and add salt. End up many get high blood pressure because sodium content in salt is much much higher than MSG.

 

[superpower]

True MSG sensitivity is very rare, less than 0.01% of the population. The incidence of peanut allergy is higher - should we all boycott peanut products?

A lot of MSG’s bad rap stems from ignorance, jealousy and plain racism.