Hi Grissini, apparently MSG only has to be listed as an additive when it is purposefully added. Somehow the production of marmite MSG is just part of the production process, the "free glutamate" number below is the one of concern.

Food Free glutamate (mg/100g)
Chinese soy sauce 1090
Japanese soy sauce 782
Roquefort cheese 1280
parmesan cheese 1200
grape juice 258
tomatoes 140
peas 200
corn 130
cow milk 2
human milk 22
eggs 23
chicken 44
duck 69
beef 33
pork 23
salmon 20
vegemite 1431
marmite 1960

So you see it's almost impossible to avoid, really. Soy makes sense, but roquefort and parmesan? Wow.


Ref source [link]

Thanks for that TVFoodie.

Is "free glutamate" a natural occurring substance ? Rather than an additive. I don't mind that. I looked on your link and I am still not sure. If it is added artificially it is very annoying it is not on the label.

Grissinni, that's one reason this whole MSG thing is so overblown. I think someone above even said it can "cause death"?? It's naturally occurring in almost everything as Glutamic Acid is one of the basic amino acids - the building blocks of all life.

I think anytime it is added specifically you will see the E number on the label. I agree with you on that one! No need to igest all these E numbers!

Here's more info if you're interested [link]

Thanks once again TVFoodie, interesting article. I think people are right to be concerned about certain things though. After all they said smoking was safe for years.

It was interesting that the report said there had been extensive research into the effects of the additive. That tells me there is suspicion about the product. I also noted that they test for an instant reaction to the added chemical whereas I wonder if once a high level of it is in the body and the bodies fat stores can this cause a problem (as with all E's).

As with smoking sometimes the knowledge of such things takes time to be answered.

Pity we cannot just get that seaweed and make our own stock to add the natural MSG to our food. I agree, no need to ingest those e numbers if we can avoid them

you guys seem to have missed the point entirely, the guy just wants to see what effect it has once, hes not planning to eat it as a regular dietry additive from what he said, this is as bad as the people who whinge when someone eats insects or anything out of the ordinary like horse (in the Uk).

Personally, I think that the MSG thing is blown all out of proportion - it's just another food additive. Not necessary, but is used in many foods. As a scientist, I believe that the synthetically produced MSG will do no more or less harm than those created 'naturally'.

Here is a thought-provoking article on 'chinese takeaway syndrome' from the guardian that I found interesting:
[link]

I now query "Yeast Extract"

[link]

In marmite they say its produced naturally but is it ?

Murdrobe " the guy just wants to see what effect it has once "

conversations always branch off in different directions, the alternative is, no one answers. Which means there would be dead threads with nothing to read on them.