False alarm about MSG<\/p>\n
In my opinion, the release from Public Interest Research and
\nAdvocacy Center (PIRAC) on the dangers of monosodium glutamate
\n(MSG) as printed by The Jakarta Post on Aug. 1 and Aug. 2 is an
\nexaggeration and a false alarm.<\/p>\n
According to the release, the snacks that Sucofindo has
\nexamined contain 0.46 percent to 1.59 percent MSG per packet, of
\nbetween 14 grams and 20 grams. Quantitatively, the MSG content in
\neach packet ranges between 60mg and 240mg.<\/p>\n
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the
\nacceptable daily intake (ADI) of MSG is 153mg per kilogram of
\nbody weight. This means that a child weighing 20kg or an adult
\nweighing 50kg can safely consume 3g and 7.5g of MSG,
\nrespectively, every day throughout their lives. Clearly, the MSG
\ncontent in the snacks reported by PIRAC is far below the ADI.<\/p>\n
The ADI for MSG was announced in the 1970s, but was scrapped
\nin 1987 by the Joint Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)-WHO
\nExpert Committee on Food Additives (JEFCA). Likewise, the
\nrestriction imposed on babies under 12-weeks-old and pregnant
\nwomen has been lifted.<\/p>\n
Contrary to what PIRAC has said in its release, the United
\nStates Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has never issued any
\nwarning against MSG. In fact, the USFDA has included MSG on its
\nGenerally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) list.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, MSG consumption per capita per annum is below
\none gram a day, quite similar to the level recorded in the U.S.<\/p>\n
In October 1998, an international symposium on glutamate was
\nheld in Bergamo, Italy. The proceedings of this conference can be
\nread in the official publication of the American Society for
\nNutritional Sciences, The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 130, No.
\n45.<\/p>\n
At this symposium, the pharmacology department of the School
\nof Medicine of Gadjah Mada University presented the results of
\nits research titled The administration to Indonesians of MSG in
\nIndonesian Foods. The outcome of the symposium wiped out all
\ndoubts about the safety of MSG as a food additive.<\/p>\n
SUNARTO PRAWIROSUJANTO
\nJakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/false-alarm-about-msg-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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