A KFC customer was outraged after discovering one of the fast food chain's secret ingredients, claiming she thought the substance had been banned. The woman, from New Zealand, shared an image of a packet of seasoning labelled 'COLONEL SANDERS' RECIPE Kentucky Fried Chicken Seasoning'.
The label shows the ingredients contain more than just the chain's famed 'secret herbs and spices' with the controversial salt MSG (monosodium glutamate) included. The customer was left stunned and posted her displeasure on social media, sparking a heated discussion about the popular takeaway.
Facebook users were split, with some sharing their shock that MSG was in the original recipe chicken seasoning, while others said it was OK in moderation, the Daily Mail reports.
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'I've read a few articles on MSG or Chinese restaurant syndrome. It was mainly an attack on ethnic communities by some who were just being racist! It's OK in moderation! Umami seasoning is the same thing,' a woman responded.
'I'm certain that MSG has never been banned, and all the myths surrounding it being bad for you have been disproven,' another said.
Others who joined the debate were concerned about the additive being a crucial ingredient in the KFC chicken.
'Yuck, no wonder I always feel sick afterwards,' one wrote.
There have been extensive studies into MSG in the past 40 years but no medical bodies have found any convincing evidence it has links to serious illness or death in humans. Many people say they experience adverse effects from eating foods with MSG in it, including headaches, sweating, fluttering heartbeats and nausea.
As a result, countries around the world ensure the additive must be approved for use before it's used in products, and it must be clearly labelled. A man in Mahad, northern India, was reported in 2017 to have lost his voice and ability to swallow after eating MSG.
According to a report in the Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine, the 23 year old went to hospital with difficulty speaking and unable to swallow his saliva. Doctors found his mouth had swelled up and blamed it on MSG in the Chinese fried rice he had eaten for dinner the night before.
The man complained of giddiness, sweating, and itching all over his body, but recovered in a few days.
"Some of our food does contain MSG but rest assured, it's only present at levels that are safe for the general population," the fried chicken chain says on its website.
"It's a recognised flavour enhancer that also occurs naturally in foods such as meat, fish, milk, vegetables, fruits and cheese."
Food Standards Australia New Zealand say it has been conducting research into MSG for four decades and had deemed it safe.
"Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) reviewed the safety of MSG in 2003 concluding 'there is no convincing evidence that MSG is a significant factor in causing systemic reactions resulting in severe illness or mortality',' the group say on its website.
"In Australia and New Zealand, no food additive — including MSG — is approved for use in food until its safety has been established by FSANZ.
"MSG and other glutamates are among a group of food additives that are generally permitted in foods, due to their safety."
What is MSG?
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavour enhancer derived from seaweed that is frequently used in takeaways and fast-food restaurants. The food additive is also often added to stock cubes, ready meals and crisps.
Studies have suggested MSG, which is also known as 'hydrolyzed protein' and 'autolyzed yeast extract', crosses the blood brain barrier where it overstimulates receptors. This can result in the receptor's death and has been linked to chronic pain.
Studies have also implied MSG causes brain damage when injected into young mice. Premature death also occurs when the food additive is given to fruit flies.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US requires MSG be listed on relevant food labels despite classifying the ingredient as being 'generally recognized as safe'. This is due to reports of people experiencing headaches, sweating, facial tightness, heart palpitations and nausea after consuming the flavour enhancer.
Restaurants and takeaways are not obligated to declare the amount of MSG they add to food.
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