What does MSG stand for? On a food label or a restaurant menu, it means monosodium glutamate, a seasoning that gives food a rich, savory taste often called umami. It is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, an amino acid found naturally in foods such as tomatoes, aged cheese, mushrooms and seaweed.
In a text or a chat, lowercase msg usually just means message, as in "msg me when you land." In sports and concert news, MSG can also be a famous arena in New York. Context sorts it out almost every time.
Quick facts
Stands for
Monosodium glutamateOther meanings
Message (texting), Madison Square Garden, Master SergeantType
Initialism, said M S GTaste
Umami, a savory flavorOn labels
Listed as monosodium glutamateFood code in Europe
E621Not to be confused with
Table salt, which has far more sodium by weight
MSG stands for a three part chemical name
| Letter | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| M | Mono | One |
| S | Sodium | The mineral also found in salt |
| G | Glutamate | A form of glutamic acid, an amino acid |
Put together, the name means one sodium atom joined with glutamate. Your tongue reads glutamate as savory, the same flavor you notice in broth, parmesan or a ripe tomato. Say it as three letters, "M S G." It is an initialism, explained further in what is an acronym.
Where MSG came from
In 1908, a Japanese chemist named Kikunae Ikeda studied why a broth made with kombu seaweed tasted so deep and savory. He traced the taste to glutamate and gave the flavor the name umami. He then worked out how to make a stable seasoning from it, which became MSG. Today it is made mostly by fermenting starches or sugars, a process similar to the one used for yogurt, vinegar and soy sauce.
How MSG is used in food
Cooks add MSG to soups, snack seasonings, gravies, spice blends, frozen meals and many restaurant dishes. A small amount brings out meaty and savory notes. Some home cooks use it to cut back on salt: MSG has about one third the sodium of table salt by weight, so a pinch of it plus a little salt can taste as seasoned as more salt alone.
On a chip bag ingredient list: "Salt, onion powder, monosodium glutamate, garlic powder." Food rules in the United States require the full name when MSG is added, so you will see the words, not just the letters.
Foods that are naturally high in glutamate, such as tomato paste or aged cheese, do not have to list MSG, because none was added.
Is MSG safe? What the research says
The FDA classifies MSG as generally recognized as safe, the same category as salt, sugar and baking powder. Large reviews of the research have not found a consistent link between normal amounts of MSG in food and illness. A small number of people report short lived symptoms such as headache or flushing after eating a large amount on an empty stomach.
Worries about MSG grew in the late 1960s, and for years it carried a bad reputation, mostly linked to one type of restaurant food. Many food scientists now say that reputation went beyond what the evidence showed. You can read more about the agency on the FDA page.
What does MSG stand for in text messages and elsewhere?
| Setting | MSG stands for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Food and cooking | Monosodium glutamate | "This soup has no added MSG." |
| Texting and chat | Message | "Got your msg, will call later." |
| Sports and concerts | Madison Square Garden, an arena in New York | "The game tonight is at MSG." |
| US Army ranks | Master Sergeant | "MSG Rivera leads the training." |
Texting uses lowercase msg, just like other quick short forms such as SMS. Food labels and menus use capitals. For more letters that show up on packages and receipts, see the famous acronyms list, or compare GMO.
Questions people ask
What does MSG stand for in food?
Monosodium glutamate, a seasoning that adds a savory umami flavor. It is added to soups, snacks, sauces and many restaurant dishes.
What does msg mean in a text?
Typed in a chat, msg is short for message. "Send me a msg" means send a message.
Is MSG the same as salt?
No. Both contain sodium, but MSG has about one third as much by weight. Salt tastes salty, while MSG tastes savory.
Does MSG have to be on the label?
Yes. In the United States, added MSG must be listed in the ingredients as monosodium glutamate.
How do you pronounce MSG?
Say each letter: "M S G." The full name is said "mon oh SO dee um GLOO tuh mate."