Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is added to many foods to enhance flavor. MSG is commonly found in canned foods, soups, fast foods, and processed foods.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that MSG is generally safe to eat, but there are still a lot of questions and disagreements about whether it is bad for your health. Therefore, the FDA requires that the ingredient is included on food labels.
Some people say that MSG can cause a few minor health problems that you should be aware of. However, more research is needed to confirm these links.
With its savory, umami flavor bacon is undoubtedly one of the most craveable foods. But like many processed meats, bacon relies on certain additives to achieve its signature taste texture and shelf life. One common ingredient is monosodium glutamate (MSG).
In this article, I’ll look at whether bacon contains added MSG, and in what types of bacon products it’s typically found. You’ll also learn what function MSG serves in processed meats like bacon. Finally, I’ll summarize the ongoing debate about the health effects of MSG.
What is MSG?
MSG is a common flavor enhancer added to certain foods. It is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, an amino acid that occurs naturally in foods like tomatoes, cheese, mushrooms and seaweed
MSG brings out the umami flavor in food. Umami is considered the “fifth taste,” described as savory and meaty. It improves the overall mouthfeel and palatability of dishes.
The FDA recognizes MSG as a safe food additive. But some people claim sensitivity to MSG, reporting effects like headaches or flushing. Studies on its health impact have been inconclusive so far.
When MSG is added directly to food, it has to be listed on the label as “monosodium glutamate.” But MSG that is naturally found in things like hydrolyzed vegetable protein doesn’t need to be labeled.
Which Bacon Products Contain Added MSG?
Certain types of bacon, especially pre-packaged, processed bacon, contain added MSG:
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Pre-cooked bacon: MSG is often added to bacon that is already cooked or “ready to eat.” These include many major brands of bacon sold refrigerated or frozen.
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Cured and smoked bacon: Honey-cured, maple-cured, smoked, and peppered bacon, among others, often have MSG in them. It enhances their flavor.
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Pre-seasoned bacon – Bacon flavored with seasonings like chili, pepper, brown sugar or maple contain MSG in those premixed seasonings.
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Turkey bacon – MSG is commonly added to turkey bacon products to boost the flavor, since turkey has a milder taste.
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Bacon-flavored products – Bacon-flavored snacks like popcorn, jerky or flavored crackers contain MSG to mimic bacon taste.
On the other hand, plain pork bacon sold in the meat department does not contain added MSG. The ingredients are limited to pork, water, salt, sugar, and preservatives like sodium erythorbate and sodium nitrite to cure the meat.
Why is MSG Added to Bacon and Processed Meats?
MSG serves several key functions in processed meats like bacon:
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Enhances umami flavor – MSG improves the savory, salty, meaty taste of foods. It reduces the need for extra salt and artificial flavors.
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Improves mouthfeel – MSG creates a richer, more pleasant texture and aftertaste.
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Masks “off” flavors – MSG covers up unpleasant flavors from fat oxidation, chemical preservatives, and ingredients like soy.
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Improves shelf life – MSG’s preservative effects keep processed meats like bacon fresher for longer.
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Reduces sodium – MSG allows less salt to be used while maintaining a salty taste.
Without MSG and related additives, processed bacon and deli meats would likely have a much shorter shelf life and inferior flavor.
Is MSG Safe to Consume?
Despite being FDA-approved, the safety of MSG remains controversial. Here’s a quick summary of the debate:
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Some people report headaches, flushing, sweating or numbness after eating MSG, indicating a sensitivity. Studies confirm symptoms in a small subset of the population.
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Animal studies link high MSG intake to potential issues like liver damage, metabolic disorders and nervous system problems. But human studies are lacking.
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Some observational studies associate MSG with weight gain, metabolic syndrome and other chronic diseases. But causation cannot be proven.
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Processed foods heavy in MSG like chips and frozen meals are clearly unhealthy. But MSG itself may not be the problem.
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MSG likely causes no harm for most people when consumed in normal amounts from natural sources like tomatoes or soy sauce.
Much more research is still needed on MSG’s effects on long-term health. But evidence does not indicate a need to fully avoid it. Those with sensitivities can steer clear of added MSG by checking labels.
For optimal health, focus your diet on whole, minimally processed foods whenever possible. Bacon and other processed meats, whether they contain MSG or not, are best enjoyed in moderation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some common questions about bacon and its MSG content:
Does all bacon contain MSG?
No. Plain, unseasoned pork bacon does not contain added MSG. But many pre-cooked, prepackaged and flavored bacons do.
Is turkey bacon worse than pork bacon?
Turkey bacon relies more on MSG for flavor. But pork bacon is higher in fat and sodium. For health, minimize processed meats in general.
What about liquid smoke flavoring in bacon?
Liquid smoke provides sm
Why You Should Avoid MSG
Some studies have shown that MSG may be linked to a number of health problems, such as obesity, problems with the central nervous system, and problems with reproduction. However, these areas need more research.
Symptoms that some have claimed occur after consuming MSG include:
Also, people who say they had these symptoms after eating foods high in MSG usually say they were mild or only lasted a short time.
MSG is used in many common foods available today in grocery stores and local restaurants. This substance, which is part of umami additives, is meant to make foods like snacks, soups, and noodles taste better. Here are 5 foods that contain MSG to be aware of:
- The fact that MSG makes food taste better means that it’s common to find it in seasonings that people put on meat and in stews. People often use taco seasoning packets, which are usually added to meat.
- A lot of Chinese dishes and other fast food meals, like fried chicken from fast food restaurants, use MSG. This made the food famous.
- Soups: You can also find MSG on the soup aisle at the grocery store. The additive is used to enhance their flavor and saltiness. Chicken Noodle Soup from Campbell’s, which is one of the most popular soups, has 890 milligrams of sodium and MSG in it.
- Dressings and condiments: MSG is sometimes added to condiments like ketchup, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, mustard, and salad dressings to make them taste better.
- A lot of different kinds of chips and other snacks like them contain MSG to make the salty and savory tastes that they’re famous for even better.
There are a few things you can use instead of MSG if you want to avoid the possible side effects. It is important to remember that eating a lot of MSG-containing foods, like fast food and chips, isn’t always a healthy thing to do. In fact, eating these foods regularly can make you fat, cause heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems. Avoid eating these unhealthy foods to eliminate a lot of MSG from your diet.
One alternative to MSG is salt. But too much salt has been shown to lead to health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Â.
You can also use natural flavor enhancers like ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, thyme, dill, and more that are better for you. These ingredients will help you make your home-cooked meals taste better without adding salt or MSG, which may be bad for your health.
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