In this brief guide, we’ll address the search query: “Does Campbell’s soup have MSG?” Also, we’ll explore what MSG is, why many processed foods have MSG, what the effects of MSG are on a person’s health, and what alternatives there are to products with MSG.
Does Campbell’s soup have MSG?
Campbell’s soup may contain MSG, though the company maintains that they do not add any MSG to their products formulations
However, their products may contain trace amounts of MSG, due to the other ingredients they use to prepare their various food products.
As such, the company has stated that its food products contain no added MSG, though class action lawsuits have been proposed against Campbell’s as some ingredients featured in their additives, such as yeast extract, and other flavoring agents.
What is MSG?
MSG is an acronym for Monosodium glutamate, which can also be called sodium glutamate. It is an organic sodium salt, that is comprised of glutamic acid (an amino acid) and sodium. The human body can synthesize it, and therefore, its consumption is not essential
Glutamic acid occurs naturally in some protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, vegetables, mushrooms, and dairy products.
It can therefore be sourced from savory dishes prepared with the aforementioned ingredients, though it can also be artificially synthesized as an additive. MSG is, therefore, also used in many processed foods.
Below, we’ll explain some of the properties of sodium glutamate.
Why do many processed foods have MSG?
MSG is incorporated into many processed foods as an additive that enhances flavors. On its own, the taste of MSG is reputed to be not quite as pleasant as it is when mixed with aromatic components, such as those found in food products.
However, the exact concentration necessary to enhance the flavor of food varies between food types, and the palatability of food suffers a rapid decline when the ideal concentration is exceeded.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regards MSG as safe to eat, though they do maintain that brands and manufacturers should state the inclusion of MSG in their ingredient lists and nutritional statements.
This is because many symptoms have been attributed to MSG consumption, despite there not being a clear link between MSG and the complex of symptoms that consumers have reported.
Most importantly, these symptoms are not life-threatening and can be managed at home, sans professional medical treatment.
What are the effects of MSG on a person’s health?
Allegedly, MSG can cause symptoms in individuals with sensitivities such as headaches, sweating, lethargy, nausea, chest pains, rapid, irregular heart rates, a sensation of pressure in the face and tightness, etc.
However, no clear link has been established between monosodium glutamate and these symptoms, and more studies are needed to understand the pathology behind them.
However, some individuals may notice that they experience these symptoms when they consume foods with MSG, and they may abate once they’ve cut these same foods out of their diets.
What alternatives are there to products with MSG?
Alternatives to products with MSG include those whose nutritional statements don’t list monosodium glutamate and avoiding processed foods.
Additionally, processed foods may be high in sodium, nitrates, nitrites, and other additives with potentially noxious effects. As a general rule, our readers should avoid eating processed foods regularly.
If our readers experience sensitivities to foods with MSG, we encourage them to keep careful track of their symptoms, along with what foods trigger them, the severity of symptoms, and within what timeframe they abate.
We encourage our readers to be mindful of the types of foods that they include in their diets, and if they have doubts regarding any symptoms they experience after consuming a particular type of food, they should consult with a general practitioner and a nutritionist.
Both of these professionals can provide tailored orientation, as well as a diet that can help manage symptoms and provide appropriate nourishment.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we’ll address the search query: “Does Campbell’s soup have MSG?” Also, we’ll explore what MSG is, why many processed foods have MSG, what the effects of MSG are on a person’s health, and what alternatives there are to products with MSG.