Hidden Names for MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) on Food Labels

MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) hides under 13 different names on food labels. A flavor enhancer linked to headaches, flushing, and sensitivity reactions in some people. We found it in 59 products in our database.

13
Hidden Names
59
Products Found
25
Avg Score

All 13 Hidden Names for MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)

If you see ANY of these on a food label, the product contains MSG (Monosodium Glutamate):

monosodium glutamate glutamic acid yeast extract autolyzed yeast extract hydrolyzed protein hydrolyzed vegetable protein hydrolyzed soy protein calcium caseinate sodium caseinate textured protein natural flavors natural flavoring glutamate

🔍 How to Spot It

Look for 'yeast extract' and 'natural flavors' on labels — these are the most common disguises for MSG. Any 'hydrolyzed' protein also contains free glutamate.

⚠️ Health Note

While the FDA classifies MSG as GRAS, many people report sensitivity symptoms. The hidden names make it nearly impossible to avoid without careful label reading.

Real Label Examples

Here's how MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) appears in actual product ingredient lists (highlighted in yellow):

Premier Protein by Premier Protein
water, milk protein concentrate, calcium caseinate, cocoa powder (processed with alkali), canola oil, contains 1% or less of high oleic sunflower oil or soybean oil, natural and artificial flavors, inulin, cellulose gel and gum, salt, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, carrageenan, tripotassium phosph...
MAX PROTEIN NUTRITION SHAKE, MILK CHOCOLATE by Abbott Laboratories Inc
WATER, MILK PROTEIN ISOLATE, CALCIUM CASEINATE, COCOA POWDER (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI); LESS THAN 0.5% OF: INULIN, CORN MALTODEXTRIN, CELLULOSE GEL, SUNFLOWER OIL, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SALT, CELLULOSE GUM, SODIUM ASCORBATE, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, CARRAGEE...
Chicken Flavored Pasta & Sauce by Great Value
ENRICHED MACARONI PRODUCT (WHEAT FLOUR. NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE (IRON). THIAMINE MONONITRATE. RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), MALTODEXTRIN (FROM CORN). CORN STARCH, HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN, YEAST EXTRACT, DRIED ONION, SEA SALT, DRIED RED BELL PEPPER, NATURAL FLAVOR. SPICE, DRIED CHICKEN, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE...

Products Containing MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) (59 Found)

These products contain MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) or one of its aliases, sorted by lowest safety score:

#ProductBrandScore
1Premier ProteinPremier Protein7/100
2MAX PROTEIN NUTRITION SHAKE, MILK CHOCOLATEAbbott Laboratories Inc 7/100
3Chicken Flavored Pasta & SauceGreat Value13/100
4ASSORTED CARAMELS SUGAR FREE CHOCOLATE CANDY, ASSORTED CARAMELSRussell Stover Candies Inc.20/100
5Bold & Zesty PretzelsClancy's23/100
6Banquet Salisbury Steak with Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Cinnamon Apple Dessert, Frozen Meal, 11.88 oz.Conagra Brands, Inc24/100
7EGG, SAUSAGE, CHEESE & POTATO BURRITOS, EGG, SAUSAGE, CHEESE & POTATOEL MONTEREY24/100
8Instant Oatmeal Fruit & Cream Flavor Variety PackGreat Value24/100
9BREAKFAST BURRITO, BACONDon Miguel Mexican Foods, Inc.24/100
10Cookies & Cream Protein BarBarebells24/100
11Quest Protein BarQuest Overload Sunday24/100
12quest protein barQuest24/100
13Chicken Pot PieKirkland24/100
14COUNTRY FRIED BEEF STEAK WITH SIGNATURE, HOMESTYLE MASHED POTATOES & COUNTRY-STYLE GRAVY, COUNTRY FRIED BEEF STEAKOverhill Farms, Inc.24/100
15bacon grill cheeseLays28/100
16JALAPENO FLAVORED KETTLE CHIPS, JALAPENOCLANCY'S28/100
17Specially Selected Beef Meatballs With Prime Rib SeasoningSpecially Selected,Aldi29/100
18Cheddar Cheese Rice SnacksFit & Active30/100
19Betty Crocker Au Gratin PotatoesGENERAL MILLS SALES INC.30/100
20CHICKEN BROTH, CHICKENWal-Mart Stores, Inc.31/100
21NACHO CHEESE TORTILLA CHIPS, NACHO CHEESESnyder's-Lance, Inc.33/100
22COLORS CHEDDAR BAKED SNACK CRACKERS, CHEDDARPepperidge Farm, Inc.33/100
23great value cheddar and sour cream ripple chipsUnknown35/100
24Great Value Nacho Cheese Tortilla ChipsWalmart35/100
25CHICKEN NUGGETS FULLY COOKED BREADED NUGGET SHAPED CHICKEN BREAST PATTIES WITH RIB MEAT, CHICKEN NUGGETSWal-Mart Stores, Inc.37/100
📬

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hidden names for MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)?
MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) can appear on food labels under 13 different names including: monosodium glutamate, glutamic acid, yeast extract, autolyzed yeast extract, hydrolyzed protein, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and 7 more.
How many products contain MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)?
In our database of 26,000+ grocery products, we found 59 products containing MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) or one of its aliases.
How can I avoid MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) in food?
Look for 'yeast extract' and 'natural flavors' on labels — these are the most common disguises for MSG. Any 'hydrolyzed' protein also contains free glutamate. The easiest way is to use the CheckIt AI app to scan any product — it automatically detects all 13 hidden names.
Is MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) dangerous?
While the FDA classifies MSG as GRAS, many people report sensitivity symptoms. The hidden names make it nearly impossible to avoid without careful label reading.

Other Hidden Ingredient Names

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) Sugar Artificial Colors Soy Trans Fat Gluten Dairy Sodium / Salt All Hidden Names Ingredient Encyclopedia Banned in Europe Ingredient Glossary
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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "13 Hidden Names for MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) — How to Spot It on Labels | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/hidden-names/msg
MLA"13 Hidden Names for MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) — How to Spot It on Labels | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/hidden-names/msg.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/hidden-names/msg">13 Hidden Names for MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) — How to Spot It on Labels | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026hiddennamesmsg, title = {13 Hidden Names for MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) — How to Spot It on Labels | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/hidden-names/msg}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }