FDA Status
GRAS
Flavor Enhancer · CAS 142-47-2 · EU E621
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)
FDA status: GRAS. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
4.0 / 5
Composite safety Low Risk
Score 4 of 5
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate): 4/5 (Low Risk)
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 4 out of 5 (Low Risk), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved.
The verdict
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it.
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- GRAS
- FDA status
- Approved
- EU status
- 0
- state regulations
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) (E621), CAS 142-47-2, is a flavor enhancer additive holding a composite safety score of 4 out of 5 (Low Risk). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Substances Added to Food inventory, it is currently classified as GRAS, while the European Union lists it as Approved. It is most commonly used as Soups, chips, frozen meals, seasoning mixes.
No U.S. state has enacted specific legislation targeting MSG (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 MSG (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 | GRAS | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | E621 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 142-47-2 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Flavor Enhancer | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 4 / 5 (Low Risk) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | Not yet tracked | 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.
EU Status
Approved
E621
U.S. State Regulations
0 states
None enacted
Safety Assessment
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)'s 4/5 (Low Risk) score reflects where this specific ingredient lands on that scale. The FDA classifies MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) as "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS), meaning qualified experts consider it safe under intended conditions of use.
Research has identified 1 area of health concern associated with MSG (Monosodium Glutamate). Consumers with specific health conditions should consult a healthcare provider before consuming products containing this ingredient.
How MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) compares
Where a safety score of 4/5 falls among all 4,509 scored ingredients tracked on PlainIngredients.
Ingredients by safety score (MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) highlighted)
4,369 of 4,509 scored ingredients (96.9%) share a safety score of 4/5.
What is MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)?
Flavor enhancer that adds umami taste.
Health Concerns
- Extensive research has not confirmed "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome." FDA considers it safe.
Common Uses
Soups, chips, frozen meals, seasoning mixes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) safe to consume?
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) has a safety score of 4/5 (Low Risk). It is approved by the FDA for use in food. As with all food additives, moderation is advisable.
What is MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) used for in food?
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) is commonly used as: Soups, chips, frozen meals, seasoning mixes. It belongs to the Flavor Enhancer category of food additives.
Is MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) banned in any US states?
Currently, no US states have enacted specific bans or regulations targeting MSG (Monosodium Glutamate). However, state food safety legislation is evolving rapidly.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)?
The FDA classifies MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) as "GRAS", while the EU status is "Approved" (E621). 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 MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)?
Research has identified the following health concerns for MSG (Monosodium Glutamate): Extensive research has not confirmed "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome." FDA considers it safe.. These findings inform its safety score of 4/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.
How is the safety score for MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) calculated?
The safety score of 4/5 for MSG (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.
Data Sources
- FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) Inventory
- EU Food Additive Regulations (EC) No 1333/2008
- State food safety legislation and bill records
What to do about MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)
Use the regulatory picture, not a single score, to decide.
- Check the FDA status (GRAS) and EU status (Approved) before assuming it is risk-free. How we score
- Compare it against the most-restricted additives in the U.S. supply. View rankings
- Scan a whole ingredient label at once to flag the concerning entries. Label checker
Safety scores summarise regulatory status and published concerns; they are not medical or dietary advice.
Every figure on PlainIngredients is rendered directly from FDA, EU, EFSA and U.S. state regulatory records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.