Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer commonly added to Chinese food, canned goods, and processed meats. According to the Food and Drug Administration, MSG is classified as a food ingredient and regarded as "generally recognized as safe." However, MSG has been publicly touted as an unhealthy ingredient. For this reason, many restaurants and food brands have taken to clarifying their avoidance of MSG. Much of the controversy surrounding MSG stems from complaints the FDA has received describing unfavorable reactions to foods containing MSG, such as headaches, sweating, numbness, and other irregular symptoms. Though these symptoms are reported as being mild, for many they are concerning enough to cause people to cut the additive out of their diet altogether.
— Lauren Lankford, Nia Creator
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