Dietetically, I consider myself lucky in the sense that I'm allergic to MSG, so I don't eat very many processed or the 'Heat and serve' ready-to-eat shit that's in every food store everywhere in this country. My one indulgence? Mary Kitchen corned beef hash. I love that shit.
It's (MSG) more pervasive here in the States than pretty much anywhere else. MSG goes by a lot of names, names like Monosodium glutamate, Glutamic acid, Glutamate, Monosodium salt, Flavor enhancer E621 (or additive number 621), Natrium glutamate (natrium is Latin/German for sodium).
Any ingredient that is "hydrolyzed" or broken down during processing releases free glutamates, which function identically to added MSG. Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), Hydrolyzed plant protein, Autolyzed vegetable protein, Textured vegetable protein (TVP), Soy protein isolate or concentrate, Calcium caseinate or sodium caseinate.
Yeast processing also naturally creates free glutamate. Yeast extract, Autolyzed yeast, Yeast food or yeast nutrient, Torula yeast.
Vague Terms That May Contain MSG include Natural flavors or natural seasonings, Modified food starch or corn starch, Bouillon, broth, or stock. Whew.
Here's a simple example: Heinz Tomato Ketchup in the USA and the UK differs primarily in its sweeteners, ingredient simplicity, and regional taste profiles.
US Version: Contains tomato concentrate, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), corn syrup, salt, spice, onion powder, and natural flavoring. It relies heavily on corn-derived sweeteners and includes onion powder.
UK Version: Contains tomatoes, spirit vinegar, sugar (sucrose), salt, and spice and herb extracts (including celery). It features a shorter, GMO-free ingredient list with traditional sugar.
Make your own corned beef and add chopped potato and onion, you'll thank me later.
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