MSG Safety Raises Concern Among Korean Food Makers

Food makers and civic groups in Korea have questioned the Korea Food and Drug Administration’s decision that monosodium glutamate (MSG) is safe to use as a food additive.

The manufacturers called the decision as an “encouragement for excessive intake”, according to koreatimes.co.kr.

MSG is a type of amino acid which exists in natural products such as corn, tomatoes, seaweed and meat and is used as a food additive to enhance flavours.

A Seoul National University research team said children eating one-third of a pack of instant noodles containing MSG everyday have twice the chance of suffering from atopic eczema compared to those who do not.

There are also reports of short-term reactions such as headaches, flushing, sweating, numbness, fluttering heartbeats and feelings of weakness.