Is Monosodium Glutamate (E621) Vegan?

Vegan status: Vegan

E-number: E621

Also known as: MSG, Sodium glutamate, Aji-no-moto, Umami seasoning

Source

Produced industrially by bacterial fermentation of carbohydrates (typically sugarcane molasses, tapioca starch, or corn). The bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum is the primary production organism.

Commonly found in

Instant noodles, crisps, Chinese restaurant food, ready meals, soups, soy sauce, tomato-based products. One of the most widely used flavour enhancers globally.

Vegan alternative: No substitute needed — MSG is vegan. It is naturally present in tomatoes, parmesan, soy sauce, and mushrooms.

Notes

MSG has been the subject of significant misinformation. 'Chinese Restaurant Syndrome' has been thoroughly debunked by controlled double-blind studies — the symptoms attributed to MSG are not reproducible when MSG is administered without the subject knowing. The FDA classifies MSG as GRAS. The glutamate in MSG is chemically identical to the glutamate naturally occurring in tomatoes and mushrooms. MSG is also vegan-suitable — the fermentation substrate and production process involve no animal products.