Click here for printer-friendly PDF file
Food always contains MSG when these words are on the label:
| Autolyzed plant protein | Glutamic acid | MSG |
| Autolyzed yeast | Hydrolyzed plant protein | Sodium caseinate |
| Calcium caseinate | Hydrolyzed vegetable protein | Textured protein |
| Gelatin | Monopotassium glutamate | Yeast extract |
| Glutamate | Monosodium glutamate | Yeast food or nutrient |
Foods made with the following products often contain MSG:
| Annatto | Flavors, flavoring | Protein-fortified
"anything" |
| Anything enriched or
vitamin enriched |
Flowing agents | Protein-fortified milk |
| Barley malt | Gums | Reaction flavors |
| Bouillon | Lipolyzed butter fat | Rice syrup or brown
rice syrup |
| Broth | "Low" or "No Fat" items | Soy protein |
| Caramel flavoring
(coloring) |
Malt extract or flavoring | Soy protein isolate or
concentrate |
| Carrageenan | Malted barley (flavor) | Soy sauce or extract |
| Citric acid (when
processed from corn) |
Maltodextrin | Spice |
| Cornstarch | Milk powder | Stock |
| Corn syrup and corn
syrup solids* |
Modified food starch | Ultra-pasteurized
"anything" |
| Dough conditioners | Natural chicken, beef, or pork
flavoring "seasoning"** |
Wheat, rice, or oat
protein |
| Dry milk solids | Pectin | Whey protein or whey |
| Enzyme modified
"anything" |
Protease | Whey protein isolate
or concentrate |
| Fermented "anything" | Protease enzymes | Yeast nutrients |
*Some companies use another process to make their products, saying it is MSG-free.
**Most assume this means salt, pepper, or spices and herbs, which it is sometimes.