Beware of ingesting MSD - Health officials

by Carol Aloysius

Avoid food items (cooked or uncooked) containing monosodium glutamate (MSD) as they can cause serious health hazards, health officials said.

“MSD is a toxic substance and there is scientific evidence to prove this. It also contains sodium which raises blood pressure levels besides impacting adversely on the nervous system,” Head of the Toxicology Unit, National Hospital told the Sunday Observer.

He said that those who consume MSD for a long period of time, could have headaches, loose motions and experience increased thirst and frequent urination. “If they already have bronchitis and asthma it can worsen the symptoms,” he said.

When asked as to how long it takes for these reactions to set in, he said it depends on each individual’s level of sensitivity to this substance. "Since there is a big quantity of this substance in Chinese food, the symptoms could be seen the following morning “, he said.

He said it was compulsory that all food products containing MSD should indicate the presence of this substance on the labels. “Many vendors instead, simply state International Code (INS) 162 on the label which the public is unfamiliar with and people are thus duped into buying an unsafe product”.

He said that the recommendations regarding food flavours had been gazetted on January 4, 2011 and clearly state that no artificial flavouring should be added to coffee, sugar, spices, oil, margarine, cocoa powder, ice-cream, milk, fish and vegetables. They also state that children under three years should not be served food having artificial flavouring as this could impact adversely on them.“

“We expect all vendors to adhere to these recommendations”, he said.

Food authorities contacted by the Sunday Observer said that those who deliberately mislead the public with inadequate information on food labels would be severely punished.