(Source: http://www.footballtainment.com/msg-disadvantages)

The State Duma rejected a bill obliging manufacturers to warn consumers about the presence of the flavor enhancer - monosodium glutamate (E621) - in food products.  

The authors of the legislative initiative were the deputies of the LDPR faction. The document amended the law “On the quality and safety of food products” in order to protect the rights of consumers and to let them get the visual information about the presence of this additive in their food. The deputies proposed to oblige the manufacturers to put the following inscription to the packaging: “This product contains a food additive - flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate (E621)”. Its presence in the product is indicated on the packaging even now, however, according to the authors, this inscription is made in very small characters and, moreover, it does not carry information about its harm to health. In this connection, the authors of the initiative proposed that the information on the presence of E621 should be printed in black large letters on a white background.

The parliamentarians also offered to withdraw the food without such labels warning of additive presence from circulation. According to the opinion of one of the bill's authors Yaroslav Nilov (LDPR), “the manufacturers mask the real taste of the product with the help of additives, as it greatly enhances the sensitivity of receptors, making food taste better”. “Repeatedly frozen meat will taste like fresh meat if you add monosodium glutamate, which is beneficial for unscrupulous businessmen” - he said at a meeting of the State Duma.

“We see this additive as an easy drug, because it is addictive. As a result, consumers lose the desire to eat normal food” - the deputy concluded. The State Duma Committee for Public Health recommended to reject the bill because of “legal and technical circumstances preventing the implementation of the legislative initiative”. “The sphere of food additives use relates to matters governed by the technical regulations of the Customs Union. Monosodium glutamate is included in the list of food additives permitted for use in food production” - this was stated in the conclusion of the Committee.

In this regard, “amendments to supranational legal acts may only be made by the decision of the Customs Union Commission”. Besides, according to opinion of the members of Trade-union Committee, increased concentration of monosodium glutamate in food is harmful for health. “Its adverse effect is manifested by a number of conditions, such as central nervous system excitation, allergic reactions. Its prolonged use causes reduction of hemoglobin, leukopenia, irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, cracked lips” - the conclusion of the Committee says.

German scientist, M. Hermanussen and his colleagues conducted a study showing monosodium glutamate (hereinafter E621) connection to obesity and short stature. Experimental studies have shown that, taken together with food, E621 can cause neural toxicity: cause a strong sense of insatiability and reduced growth hormone levels. E621 violates the taste centers of the brain, disrupt  hypothalamic ability to regulate appetite and ultimately determines human obesity.

In truth, it should be noted, that side effects become apparent only after administration of monosodium glutamate in large quantities. But the E621 is so widely used in food products (meat products, quick appetizers, soups, sauces, etc.), that it is very difficult to estimate what quantity of this substance people actually consume during the day.

Professor’s M.Hermanussen study also showed how E621 acts in human organism. When taken into the body, the substance with the blood rapidly penetrates the brain and enhances the taste sensations, including signals from the tongue taste receptors. As a result, the food we eat becomes delicious. In reality, the dish can be made from the cheapest products: minced meat with meat substitutes, low-grade meat, poultry, fish, seafood, mushrooms, etc. If to these facts we’ll add the fact that the same substance blocks the sense of fullness in the brain, we will get a logical result – increasing obesity around the world.

Although officially there is no concrete evidence that the current allowable used in the food industry E621 quantities can be harmful, but the debate on and about has been going on for many years. And, as you can see, the arguments, supporting the idea that E621, if does not determines, but at least certainly contributes to the global obesity pandemic, is quite enough.

Origin: 

Sodium salt from glutamic acid (E620), a natural amino acid (building block of protein). Commercially prepared from molasses by bacterial fermentation. Also prepared from vegetable protein, such as gluten, or soy protein. Glutamic acid and glutamates are present in all proteins. Free glutamates are present in high concentrations in ripened cheese, breast milk, tomatoes and sardines.

Function & Characteristics: 

Flavour enhancer. Glutamic acid and glutamates have the specific umami taste and enhance many other flavours, thereby reducing the amounts of salt needed in a product.

Products: 

Many different products.

Acceptable daily intake (ADI): 

None determined. Glutamates may not be used in products intended for children under 12 weeks.

Side effects: 

Although many side effects have been reported for glutamates, these have not been scientifically proven. 

Dietary restrictions: 

None. Glutamic acid and glutamates can be used by all religious groups, vegetarians and vegans. The products do not contain gluten.