VEGAN

Monosodium glutamate is the sodium salt of glutamic acid and is used as a flavour enhancer. Glutamate is responsible for umami, one of the basic tastes, which gives food a more pronounced and fuller flavour. Monosodium glutamate itself does not have a particularly strong taste.

Glutamate occurs naturally in many foods, including tomatoes and some cheeses. Monosodium glutamate was first isolated in 1908 in Japan, when Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda investigated the substance responsible for the characteristic taste of broth made from kelp. Commercial production of MSG began in 1909.

Today, monosodium glutamate is mainly produced by bacterial fermentation of sugar sources, such as corn, wheat or tapioca starch, as well as sugar syrups and molasses from sugar cane or sugar beet. The resulting glutamic acid is then converted into monosodium glutamate.

On food labels, monosodium glutamate is listed as E621 or as monosodium glutamate. Related substances E620–E625 belong to the glutamate group, but they are not the same as E621. Ingredients such as yeast extract, autolyzed or hydrolyzed yeast, and hydrolyzed plant or soy proteins may contain free glutamate, but this does not mean that E621 has been added to them.

The safety of glutamates has been assessed by international regulatory bodies. EFSA established a group acceptable daily intake of 30 mg/kg body weight per day for glutamic acid and glutamates E620–E625. At the same time, it concluded that estimated intakes may exceed this level in some population groups. JECFA established a group ADI of “not specified” for glutamic acid and its salts, including monosodium glutamate.

The FDA considers monosodium glutamate safe for use in food. The FDA states that reports of symptoms such as headache and nausea following consumption of food containing MSG have been received over the years, but that a causal relationship with MSG has not been confirmed. Some sensitive individuals may experience temporary symptoms after consuming larger amounts of MSG, particularly when it is consumed without food.

Note

The fact that an additive is vegan does not necessarily mean that it is healthy or recommended for consumption.

The term “vegan” here refers solely to the origin of the ingredients and does not constitute a health recommendation or a claim that the additive has a beneficial effect on health.