OpenGov - Open Government Brainstorm

59. Ban the use of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): Monosodium glutamate is used world wide as a taste enhancer, but the product itself has no taste. Why is MSG so popular? It all comes down to our taste buds. It has long been known that there are four basic tastes - sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. It is now thought that there is a fifth taste, called "umami." Umami is the savory taste that occurs naturally in foods such as tomatoes and ripe cheese. Just as eating chocolate stimulates the sweet taste receptors on our tongue, eating food seasoned with MSG stimulates the glutamate or "umami" receptors on our tongue, enhancing the savory flavor of these foods. (Parkinson)

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MSG has been shown to cause lesions on the brain, especially in children. These lesions cause cognitive, endocrinological and emotional abnormalities. In children excess glutamate affects the growth cones on neurons. Growth cones are vital in laying down chemical pathways in the brain to enable the brain to operate effectively. Studies show that rats who had been fed MSG from birth could not escape mazes or discriminate between stimuli as well as non MSG fed rats. The implications for human children are that MSG could seriously affect their cognitive skills and cause learning difficulties. (Copeman, 2005) Children are most at risk from the effects of processed free glutamic acid. Their undeveloped blood-brain barriers leave them most at risk from exposure to processed free glutamic acid. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that infant animals fed processed free glutamic acid when young develop neuroendocrine problems such as gross obesity, stunted growth, and reproductive disorders later in life, and that they also develop learning disabilities. (truthinlabeling.org)

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Not only is MSG scientifically proven to cause obesity, it is an addictive substance. Since its introduction into the American food supply fifty years ago, MSG has been added in larger and larger doses to the pre-packaged meals, soups, snacks, and fast foods we are tempted to eat everyday. One of the primary and most consistent effects of MSG and other excitotoxins is triggering "an insulin/adrenalin/fat storage/food craving response." That response is what causes the, "I'm hungry again an hour after I eat Chinese food," quandary. It is also why some of us crave potato chips and other snack foods that contain monosodium glutamate, even though we're full. (Moss, 2007)

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Some of the most common symptoms of MSG sensitivity or allergy include headache, sometimes called MSG headache, flushing, numbness or tingling in or around the mouth, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, muscle tightening, or lightheadedness, migraines and even mood changes. Studies have been somewhat inconclusive, though many in the scientific community believe that some neurological orders and behavioral issues may be caused by monosodium glutamate. Attention deficit disorder, anxiety attacks, neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's, fibromyalgia, MS, Parkinson's and even autism may be caused by or intensified by severe allergy or sensitivity to monosodium glutamate. (Moss, 2007) The FDA and EPA have given MSG a pass, meaning no testing was ever done prior to acceptance.

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Other names for MSG are: Accent, Aginomoto, Natural Meat Tenderizer, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, monopotassium glutamate, glutamate, glutamic acid, gelatin, dextrose, cornstarch, citric acid, calcium caseinate, textured protein, autolyzed plant protein, hydrolyzed plant protein, yeast extract, yeast food, nutrient, sodium caseinate, and autolyzed yeast. (msgmyth.com, 2005)

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Foods made with the following products that often contain MSG: Malted barley (flavor), barley malt, malt extract of flavoring, maltodextrin, caramel flavoring (coloring), stock, broth, bouillon, carrageenan, whey protein or whey, whey protein isolate or concentrate, pectin, protease, protease enzymes, flavors, flavoring, natural chicken, beef or pork flavoring, seasonings, soy sauces or extract, soy protein, soy protein isolate or concentrate, cornstarch, flowing agents, white rice or oat protein, protein fortified anything, enzyme modified anything, ultra-pasteurized anything, and fermented anything. (msgmyth.com, 2005)

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Monosodium Glutamate is being sprayed right on fruits, nuts, seeds, grains, and vegetable as they grow. The spray most widely used is called AuxiGro, which is a “free glutamic acid” or so called “L-glutamic acid” component being used by its manufacturer, Emerald BioAgriculture. This compound stimulates the plants to grow and contain MSG. Since the produce going into the process foods inherently contain MSG, the manufacturer can claim that no MSG was added on the label, while still containing it. (truthinlabeling.org)

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Crops that are being sprayed with MSG compounds are: Celery; Fresh Market Cucumbers; Edible Navy and Pinto Beans; Grapes; Bulb Onions; Bell, Green and Jalapeno Peppers; Iceberg Head Lettuce; Romaine and Butter Leaf Lettuce; Peanuts; Potatoes; Snap Beans; Strawberries; Processing Tomatoes; Fresh Tomatoes; and Watermelons. (truthinlabeling.org)

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With corporatism insatiable need to produce profits via any means possible, fair or unfair, highlights the reasons to regulate the food industry away from monosodium glutamate. I can perceive the boardroom executive showing charts of sales growth by just adding this artificial seasoning. Increasing sales at the cost of the client’s health through growing obesity rates; this is why America is the butt of every world wide joke. Fat, lazy, and stupid Americans, we can not help it, our food & water is tainted and sanctified by our Government, to which we lack the will to question because the distraction box is too damn interesting.