free glutamic acid, or glutamate, an amino acid found naturally in most foods. It’s produced by fermenting molasses, starch, or sugar cane. This fermentation process is like the process used to make wine and yogurt.
Is it safe?
Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorized MSG as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), the FDA also categorizes salt and sugar as GRAS. However, there’s controversy over the lack of oversight the FDA has in the introduction and use of additives by the food industry.
According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), many GRAS foods don’t go through the rigorous testing required for this safety claim.
Trans fats were once identified as GRAS too until