Aspartame vs Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) — Which Is Worse?

FactorAspartameMonosodium Glutamate (MSG)
E-NumberE951E621
CategorySweetenerFlavor
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)Moderate Risk (6/10)
FDA StatusFDA-approved since 1981 (dry foods) and 1983 (beverages). Classified as GRAS-equivalent. FDA's ADI is 50 mg/kg body weig…FDA classifies MSG as GRAS. FDA requires MSG to be declared on the label when added as an ingredient. FDA commissioned a…
EFSA StatusEFSA completed a comprehensive risk assessment in 2013, confirming safety at the ADI of 40 mg/kg body weight/day. In Jul…EFSA re-evaluated in 2017 and established a group ADI of 30 mg/kg body weight/day for glutamic acid and its salts (E 620…
Banned In——
Products Found77

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

Aspartame

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Which Products Use Each?

7
products contain Aspartame
7
products contain Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

⚖️ The Verdict

Both Aspartame and Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse than the other based on current data.

Both ingredients should be consumed mindfully. Use CheckIt AI to scan products and avoid whichever ones concern you most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aspartame or Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) worse?
Both Aspartame and Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse based on available data.
What is the difference between Aspartame and Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)?
Aspartame is a sweetener, while Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a flavor. They serve different functions in food products.
Are Aspartame and Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) banned?
Aspartame is not currently banned in any major market. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both Aspartame and Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both Aspartame and Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and suggest safer alternatives.
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Aspartame Deep Dive Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Deep Dive All 180 Comparisons All Ingredients Ingredients Banned in Europe Scoring Methodology

⚕️ This comparison is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "Aspartame vs Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/aspartame-vs-monosodium-glutamate
MLA"Aspartame vs Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/aspartame-vs-monosodium-glutamate.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/aspartame-vs-monosodium-glutamate">Aspartame vs Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsaspartamevsmonosodiumglutamate, title = {Aspartame vs Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/aspartame-vs-monosodium-glutamate}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }