Health Expert: Belief That MSG Is a Harmful Substance Not Supported by Scientific Evidence

Doctor and health expert Reisa Broto Asmoro has called on the public to be more critical in responding to various information about monosodium glutamate (MSG). According to her, the belief that MSG is a harmful substance is not supported by scientific evidence or the recommendations of global health institutions. Reisa explained that glutamate is not a foreign substance to the human body. The compound is found naturally in various foods and is even introduced to humans from infancy. ‘Glutamate is not foreign to our bodies because it can be found naturally in various foods, such as cheese, soy sauce, and even in breast milk. That is why, since infancy, we are already accustomed to the savoury taste of glutamate,’ Reisa said during an educational event. She stated that the various claims about the dangers of MSG have been influenced more by myths circulating in the community rather than scientific findings. According to Reisa, to date, no official health body has categorised MSG as a dangerous substance when used in reasonable quantities in food. ‘There are many misconceptions that say MSG is a dangerous substance. However, the fact is that official health bodies, from the Ministry of Health, BPOM, the FDA in America, and even the WHO, do not include MSG in their list of dangerous substances in their health guidelines,’ she said. She explained that international regulations also state that the use of MSG within reasonable limits does not cause harmful health effects. Instead, Reisa said various official health guidelines actually emphasise the importance of controlling the intake of sugar, salt, and fat, known as the GGL principle, in daily dietary patterns. In the same event, PT Sasa Inti launched the #MSGYangBenar campaign to educate the public about the use of MSG. The company cited scientific references indicating that the sodium content in MSG is lower than that in table salt, making it a potential tool to help reduce salt usage without compromising the taste of food. Head of Marketing at PT Sasa Inti, Albert Dinata, said the company wants to change the public perception that has long viewed MSG negatively. ‘We want to shift the public conversation. MSG is not the enemy, but rather a practical cooking solution for Indonesian families so that healthy and nutritious food becomes more delicious,’ said Albert.