Is it safe for a healthy adult to consume food containing Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)?

Is MSG Safe to Eat?

Yes, MSG (monosodium glutamate) is safe for healthy adults to consume at normal dietary levels, as it is classified as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA and has an acceptable daily intake (ADI) "not specified" by international food safety authorities, indicating no health risk when used as a food additive. 1, 2

Regulatory Safety Status

• The FDA classifies MSG as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) for consumption by the general public, including people with diabetes and other chronic conditions 3, 2
• The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives established an ADI of "not specified," which is the safest category indicating the substance offers no health risk when used as a food additive 1, 2
• The European Commission's Scientific Committee on Food reached the same conclusion regarding MSG safety 2

Evidence from Clinical Studies

The largest and most rigorous double-blind, placebo-controlled study (130 subjects) found that MSG given with food produces no consistent or reproducible adverse reactions. 3

• When MSG was administered without food at very high doses (far exceeding normal dietary intake), only occasional inconsistent symptoms occurred that were not reproducible 3
• Multiple double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have failed to consistently elicit reactions in individuals who self-report MSG sensitivity 3, 1
• The so-called "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" has little supporting evidence in properly controlled clinical trials 4

Metabolic Safety Profile

• The human body does not distinguish between glutamate naturally present in protein foods and MSG added as seasoning 1
• Dietary glutamate is completely metabolized by intestinal cells as an energy source and does not passively cross biological membranes to elevate plasma glutamate levels at normal food intake levels 1
• Normal dietary use of MSG is self-limiting and dose-dependent, without elevation in blood glutamate concentrations 1
• Glutamate metabolism is compartmentalized in the body without ethnic differences 1

Important Caveats

High-dose animal studies showing toxicity are not relevant to human dietary exposure because they use excessive dosing (often 10-100 times normal human intake) that does not reflect actual food consumption patterns. 4, 1

• The recent EFSA acceptable daily intake of 30 mg/kg body weight/day is not attainable when MSG is consumed at normal dietary levels 1
• Preclinical studies reporting adverse effects used methodologically flawed designs with dosing far exceeding what humans would consume in food 4
• A 2025 narrative review noting potential toxicity effects was based primarily on high-dose animal studies with limited human relevance 5

Practical Considerations

• MSG is safe for all life-cycle stages without respect to ethnic origin or culinary background when used at normal dietary levels 1
• MSG can actually serve as a useful tool to reduce sodium content in foods while maintaining palatability, potentially supporting cardiovascular health goals 2
• Individuals with phenylketonuria should avoid aspartame (not MSG), which is a different food additive 6