FDA Status
Approved
Monosodium Glutamate (621) is a flavor enhancer additive holding a composite safety score of 2 out of 5 (Caution). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently classifies it as Approved, while the European Union lists it as Approved. This ingredient appears in approximately 2,745 tracked food products across our database. It is most commonly used as Savory foods, snacks, processed meals.
No U.S. state has enacted specific legislation targeting Monosodium Glutamate to date, keeping federal FDA classification as the operative standard. State-level food safety legislation remains active nationally, and that picture may shift as new bills advance.
Peer-reviewed research has flagged 1 distinct area of health concern for Monosodium Glutamate, which factors directly into the assigned safety score. The European Food Safety Authority has published an evaluation dated 2017/07/12. EFSA has noted an overexposure risk classification of "high" for typical consumption patterns. All figures above draw on FDA SAFFA inventory records, EU food additive regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, EFSA scientific opinions where published, and legislative records from individual U.S. states.
Regulatory Snapshot
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 621 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | — | CAS Registry |
| Category | Flavor Enhancer | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 2 / 5 (Caution) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | 2,745 | Open Food Facts (US) |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
2.0 / 5
Composite Safety Caution
Safety Score: 2 out of 5
Safety Rating 40.0%
EU Status
Approved
621
U.S. State Regulations
0 states
None enacted
Safety Assessment
Monosodium Glutamate receives a safety score of 2/5 (Caution) based on a composite analysis of FDA regulatory status, EU approval, scientific literature on health effects, and state-level legislative actions. The FDA has approved Monosodium Glutamate for use in food products under specified conditions.
Research has identified 1 area of health concern associated with Monosodium Glutamate. Consumers with specific health conditions should consult a healthcare provider before consuming products containing this ingredient.
What is Monosodium Glutamate?
MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE -MSG, also known as sodium glutamate- is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, one of the most abundant naturally occurring non-essential amino acids.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Re‐evaluation of glutamic acid -E 620-, sodium glutamate -E 621-, potassium glutamate -E 622-, calcium glutamate -E 623-, ammonium glutamate -E 624- a. EFSA overexposure risk: high. Flagged by ANSES (French food safety agency) as additive of interest
Common Uses
Savory foods, snacks, processed meals
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monosodium Glutamate safe to consume?
Monosodium Glutamate has a safety score of 2/5 (Caution). Scientific studies have raised health concerns. Check with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
What is Monosodium Glutamate used for in food?
Monosodium Glutamate is commonly used as: Savory foods, snacks, processed meals. It belongs to the Flavor Enhancer category of food additives.
Is Monosodium Glutamate banned in any US states?
Currently, no US states have enacted specific bans or regulations targeting Monosodium Glutamate. However, state food safety legislation is evolving rapidly.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of Monosodium Glutamate?
The FDA classifies Monosodium Glutamate as "Approved", while the EU status is "Approved" (621). The FDA and EU use separate evaluation frameworks — the EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes banning additives that remain approved in the US. Always check both jurisdictions when evaluating food additive safety.
What health concerns are associated with Monosodium Glutamate?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Monosodium Glutamate: EFSA evaluation: Re‐evaluation of glutamic acid -E 620-, sodium glutamate -E 621-, potassium glutamate -E 622-, calcium glutamate -E 623-, ammonium glutamate -E 624- a. EFSA overexposure risk: high. Flagged by ANSES (French food safety agency) as additive of interest. These findings inform its safety score of 2/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.
How is the safety score for Monosodium Glutamate calculated?
The safety score of 2/5 for Monosodium Glutamate is a composite assessment based on FDA regulatory status, EU approval status, published scientific research on health effects, and state-level legislative actions. A score of 1 means "Banned / Avoid" and 5 means "Generally Safe." The score is updated as new regulatory actions or scientific evidence emerge.
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Related Data Sources
Data Sources
- FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) Inventory
- EU Food Additive Regulations (EC) No 1333/2008
- State food safety legislation and bill records
Related Resources
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official EWG, FDA GRAS, and ingredient toxicology databases. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainIngredients Editorial