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# What's the Deal with Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)?
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/monosodium_glutamate_0714140844/
- Published: 2014-07-14T09:39:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:24:29.000Z
- Description: The Glutamate Association released an animated video, funded by Ajinomoto, explaining umami and glutamate and countering myths about monosodium glutamate. Executive director Lisa Watson says it gives viewers grounding to judge what they read online for themselves.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Chemical, Food Safety, #vivvo-import

Keith Keeney

Digital Marcom, LLC *on behalf of The Glutamate Association*

[678/621-6010](tel:678%2F621-6010)

[k.keeney@digimarcom.com](mailto:k.keeney@digimarcom.com)

**What's the Deal with Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)?**

Glutamate Association Shares New Animation to  
Lay Out Facts and Dispel Myths

For Immediate Release: July 10, 2014

Contact: Molly Weaver, The Glutamate Association, [202-384-1840](tel:202-384-1840)

WASHINGTON, DC (July 10, 2014) -- At a time when almost everyone laments about consumers with little grounding in science being taken advantage of by sharp marketing ploys, a new animation aims to set the record straight about a much maligned food ingredient.

"What’s the Deal with Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)?" is a fast-paced, hip new video that leaves just about everyone a bit smarter when it comes to what excites our palate and how we experience taste. And in the process, the short video dispels many of the urban myths that have plagued the common food ingredient.

“What’s great about this piece is that you just can’t turn it off – and when it’s done, you’ve actually learned something about food and what our bodies do with it,” said Lisa Watson, executive director of The Glutamate Association and a nutritionist by training. “But best, it gives you the grounding to figure out on your own whether those things you read on the Internet are factual or not.”

The animation also makes the link between umami, the fifth basic taste that's ignited a food craze sweeping the globe, and glutamate, the most common amino acid in our diets. As explained in the video, glutamate is one of the main umami triggers in our food. And [monosodium glutamate](http://www.prweb.net/Redirect.aspx?id=aHR0cDovL21zZ2ZhY3RzLmNvbS9udXRyaXRpb24vcmljaF9hbmRfZGVsaWNpb3VzX2Zvb2QuYXNweD90ZXJtPXB1cmVzdA==&ref=foodconsumer.org), also known as glutamate seasoning, is an easy way to add the pure taste of umami to food.

“What’s the Deal?” was developed through funding from Ajinomoto, and it is being distributed by the Glutamate Association. Links are available through [msgdish.com](http://www.prweb.net/Redirect.aspx?id=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5tc2dkaXNoLmNvbQ==&ref=foodconsumer.org), [msgfacts.com](http://www.prweb.net/Redirect.aspx?id=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5tc2dmYWN0cy5jb20=&ref=foodconsumer.org), and (of course) [YouTube](http://www.prweb.net/Redirect.aspx?id=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vd2F0Y2g/dj1Ua0RZajdhOElBbw==&ref=foodconsumer.org).

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MSG myths and facts