Monosodium Glutamate: Is MSG Bad for Your Health? MSG stands for monosodium glutamate, which is a food additive commonly used in Asian cuisine and other processed foods. It is a salt of glutamic acid, which is an amino acid naturally found in many foods such as tomatoes, mushrooms, and cheese. MSG is often used as a flavor enhancer to improve the taste of food. It is a white crystalline powder that is added to soups, sauces, meat dishes, and snacks, among other foods. It has a savory or umami taste and is known to increase the perception of flavors in food. While MSG is generally recognized as safe by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other regulatory agencies, some people may experience adverse reactions to it. This condition is known as "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome," which includes symptoms such as headaches, sweating, and flushing after consuming foods containing MSG. However, scientific studies have not consistently found a link between MSG and these symp...