Randy Chandler
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavour enhancer made from the non-essential amino acid L-glutamic acid and sodium. It is commonly added to processed foods, such as canned soups and salty snacks, and is used in Southeast Asian cooking to increase the umami, or savouriness, of a dish. While the FDA considers the addition of MSG to food safe, it requires manufacturers to list it on the ingredient panel. Kraft 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese is likely to be MSG-free, although it is high in saturated fat, sodium and calories.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does Kraft Parmesan Cheese have MSG? | Likely to be MSG-free |
| Is MSG safe? | The FDA considers MSG to be safe. However, some people may be sensitive to it and experience symptoms such as headaches, skin flushing, sweating, nausea, numbness, and fatigue. |
| What is MSG? | Monosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer made from sodium and L-glutamic acid, a non-essential amino acid that occurs naturally in foods like tomatoes, anchovies, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese. |
| Why is MSG used? | MSG enhances the flavor of food by providing umami, the "fifth taste" that can be described as "meatiness" or savoriness. It is also used as a sodium replacement, as it is only 12% sodium compared to 39% in table salt. |
| What foods typically contain MSG? | Canned vegetables, soups, deli meats, restaurant foods, processed and packaged foods, hot dogs, lunch meats, condiments, packaged seasoning blends, frozen pizzas, and instant noodles. |
| Is Kraft Parmesan Cheese real Parmesan? | It is made with similar ingredients and methods as Parmigiano-Reggiano, but the term "imitation" may apply due to the strict definitions of "Parmesan" in Italy. |
| Nutrition concerns | High in calories, saturated fat, and sodium. |
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What You'll Learn
Kraft Parmesan cheese is likely to be MSG-free
Monosodium glutamate (MSG), also known as a flavour enhancer, is commonly added to processed foods, such as canned soups and salty snacks. It is also used in Southeast Asian cooking to increase the umami or savouriness of a dish. While MSG has a negative health connotation, the FDA regards it as safe.
The Kraft Parmesan cheese label lists the following ingredients: pasteurized part-skim milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, cellulose powder, and potassium sorbate (a preservative). None of these ingredients are known to be sources of MSG, and the product is not marketed as having enhanced flavour or reduced sodium, which could indicate the presence of MSG.
While it is always advisable to check the ingredient list for specific concerns or allergies, it appears that Kraft Parmesan cheese is unlikely to contain MSG. This conclusion is supported by online sources that provide product information and reviews, which further validate the absence of MSG in this particular cheese product.
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However, Parmesan cheese naturally contains MSG
While Kraft grated Parmesan cheese is likely to be MSG-free, Parmesan cheese naturally contains MSG. MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is a flavour enhancer made from the non-essential amino acid L-glutamic acid and sodium. It is commonly added to processed foods such as canned soups and salty snacks, and is used in Southeast Asian cooking to increase the savouriness of a dish.
L-glutamic acid occurs naturally in foods such as tomatoes, anchovies, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese. The human body cannot tell the difference between naturally occurring glutamates and those added to foods with MSG, as there is no chemical difference. While some people associate MSG with negative health effects, the FDA regards it as safe.
MSG enhances the flavour of food by providing umami, or the "meatiness" of a dish, whether or not the food contains meat. In 1968, a Chinese-American doctor wrote to the New England Journal of Medicine describing symptoms such as heart palpitations and numbness in the limbs that he attributed to MSG in Chinese food. However, these symptoms are typically associated with large doses (more than 3 grams) consumed without food. Most people do not ingest MSG on its own, and it is unlikely that one would consume it in high enough quantities to be affected.
While Kraft grated Parmesan cheese may not contain added MSG, it is important to note that Parmesan cheese is one of the foods that naturally contain MSG due to the presence of L-glutamic acid.
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Kraft Parmesan cheese is considered an 'imitation' product
Kraft Parmesan cheese is considered an imitation product due to the differences in production processes and ingredients when compared to traditional Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese from Italy.
In Italy, Parmigiano-Reggiano is a protected designation of origin (PDO) product, which means that by law, only cheese produced in specific regions of Italy, such as Parma, Reggio-Emilia, Modena, and Bologna, can be labeled and sold as Parmigiano-Reggiano. This regulation ensures that the traditional production methods and quality of this iconic Italian cheese are preserved. The European Union's definition of Parmesan is legally restricted to genuine Parmigiano-Reggiano, made according to these strict Italian standards.
In contrast, the term "Parmesan" in the United States is not regulated. While Kraft Parmesan may be made with similar ingredients to its Italian counterpart, it is produced outside of Italy, often in places like Wausau, Wisconsin, and does not adhere to the same stringent production standards. For example, Kraft Parmesan is typically aged for only six months, while true Parmigiano-Reggiano is aged for a minimum of twelve months, allowing it to develop a more complex flavor. Additionally, Kraft Parmesan may contain additives and ingredients not found in traditional Parmigiano-Reggiano, such as cellulose powder and potassium sorbate.
The lack of regulation around the term "Parmesan" in the United States allows commercially produced imitation cheeses to be sold under this generic name. This has led to a perception of Kraft Parmesan as an imitation product, especially when compared to the traditional Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Despite being considered an imitation, Kraft Parmesan cheese is widely used and has its own place in the market. Many consumers who grew up with Kraft Parmesan may still prefer its taste and texture, even when presented with higher-quality alternatives. Additionally, Kraft Parmesan is more affordable and readily available than traditional Parmigiano-Reggiano, making it a popular choice for those on a budget or seeking convenience.
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The FDA considers MSG safe but requires it to be listed on ingredient labels
Monosodium glutamate (MSG), also known as a flavour enhancer, is commonly added to processed foods such as canned soups and salty snacks. It is also used in Southeast Asian cooking to increase the umami or savouriness of a dish. L-glutamic acid, which is naturally found in foods such as tomatoes, anchovies, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese, is chemically identical to MSG. While some people associate MSG with negative health consequences, the FDA considers it safe.
MSG enhances the flavour of food by enhancing the umami flavour. Umami, also known as the fifth taste, can be described as the "meatiness" or savouriness of food, regardless of whether the food contains meat. MSG can also be used as a sodium substitute, as it is only 12% sodium compared to table salt, which contains 39% sodium. When MSG is added to food, research shows that sodium can be reduced by up to 40% while still maintaining the same flavour and satisfaction.
Despite the FDA's stance, some people may still experience negative reactions to MSG. According to Harvard Health, less than 1% of the general population may be particularly sensitive to MSG, and symptoms such as headache, skin flushing, sweating, nausea, numbness, and fatigue may appear within the first two hours of consumption. An even smaller subset of people may have a serious allergic reaction.
While the FDA considers MSG safe, it still requires that food manufacturers list it on the ingredient panel. If a food includes any ingredient that contains naturally occurring MSG, such as yeast extract or hydrolyzed yeast, it cannot claim "no MSG" or "no added MSG." Kraft 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese is likely MSG-free, according to one source. However, some people have expressed concerns about the quality and authenticity of the product, noting that it may be an "imitation" of traditional Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
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MSG is a flavour enhancer, intensifying umami flavours
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavour enhancer that intensifies umami flavours. It is made from the amino acid L-glutamic acid and sodium. MSG is commonly added to processed foods such as canned soups and salty snacks, and is used in Southeast Asian cooking to increase the umami, or savouriness, of a dish.
Umami, also known as the fifth taste, can be described as the "meatiness" or savouriness of food, whether or not the food contains meat. MSG enhances the flavour of food by providing this umami taste. L-glutamic acid occurs naturally in foods such as tomatoes, anchovies, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese, while MSG is made from the fermentation of sugar cane, sugar beets, cassava, or corn.
The human body cannot tell the difference between naturally occurring glutamates and those added to foods with MSG since there is no chemical difference. MSG can be added to food just as one would sprinkle salt into a dish. It can also be used as a partial replacement for salt, as it contains just one-third the sodium of table salt. When MSG is added to food, the sodium content can be reduced by up to 40% while still maintaining the same perception of flavour and satisfaction of the food.
MSG has been classified as safe by the US FDA and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. However, some people may still wish to avoid it for various reasons.
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Frequently asked questions
MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is a flavour enhancer made from the non-essential amino acid L-glutamic acid and sodium. It is commonly added to processed foods and used in Southeast Asian cooking.
It is likely that Kraft Parmesan cheese does not contain MSG. However, it does contain naturally occurring glutamates, which provide the same umami taste.
Some people associate MSG with negative health effects. However, the FDA regards MSG as safe, and any reported symptoms are typically mild and short-lived, occurring only with large doses consumed without food.
Symptoms of MSG sensitivity can include headache, skin flushing, sweating, nausea, numbness, and fatigue. These symptoms typically appear within two hours of consuming MSG.
MSG is commonly added to canned foods, soups, deli meats, and restaurant foods. It is also found in many processed and packaged foods, condiments, and seasoning blends.
