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P.T. Jyothi Datta

New Delhi , Nov. 10

AN increasing number of discerning consumers are reading the fine print on food product labels regarding the use of MSG or monosodium glutamate. But for the uninitiated, MSG is a flavour-enhancer and with the Government set to allow a more liberal use of MSG in the food-processing industry — concerns are being raised on its impact on consumers' health.

Whether it is Hindustan Lever Ltd's Knorr soup or FritoLay's Uncle Chips, one would find a label reading "Contains monosodium glutamate. Not recommended for infants below 12 months." However, food-industry analysts point out that companies need to mention MSG's impact on health, since consumers are unlikely to give such products to one-year-old infants anyway!

Health Ministry sources admitted that the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) rules are set to be relaxed, in that the food product manufacturers be allowed to use levels of MSG, as per their requirement, provided they adhere to good manufacturing practices (GMP). However, there is a negative list of products where MSG is still disallowed and this includes milk and milk products, foodgrains, cereals etc. Current food norms allow for a specified quantity of MSG with mandatory labelling.

But consumers are reading the fine print, says Mr J. Suresh, CEO and Executive Director, MTR Foods Ltd. And he should know, because MTR's soups, one of the few food products in the domestic market that says "No MSG".

Speaking to Business Line, he said, "Health-conscious consumers don't take products that contain MSG. Our market research, before developing our soup, revealed that a product containing MSG accentuates people's fear. Hence, we developed a natural soup."

While he is unable to state whether this has reflected in sales, Mr Suresh points out that MTR soups are selling well in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi, since it was launched in October last year. Globally too, he points out, MSG is treated with wariness by consumers and manufacturers are expected to label their products if it contains MSG.

Ms Pooja Dogra, a researcher with Consumer Voice, points out that "MSG is controversial since the 1980s, when research in the US showed that glutamate affects the functioning of the nervous system."

Further, a study conducted by the organisation states, ``the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also received numerous reports of MSG-related adverse events, including headaches, palpitations, vomiting, and nausea. After research, the FDA concluded that MSG is safe when consumed at levels typically used in cooking and food manufacturing."

Consumer Voice feels that "GMP lets a grey area remain about how much is too much for the manufacturers." Food-sector analysts agree and call for more scrutiny by food inspectors, in both the packed food segment and in the openly sold products such as pizzas, noodles and pastas, where MSG is the "seasoning" agent.

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