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By Doris Obinna
Experts have said that glutamate is essential for living bodies and is a good energy source of the brain and help boost good feeling by regulating impulse transmission in the nerves. “Glutamate, which is found in Umami food seasoning, product of Ajinomoto Foods Nigeria Limited (AFN) is safe for consumption.”
Commemorating this year’s Umami Seasoning Day, Umami seasoning popularly known as AJI-NO-MOTO® or Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), the management of AFN an affiliate of a global food giant, Ajinomoto and makers of AJI-NO-MOTO® reiterating the safety of the product, Japanese food seasoning and some Nigerian food nutritionist and experts disclosed that various scientific findings had proven over and again that AJI-NO-MOTO® MSG is safe for consumption.
Professor of Enzyme and Food Biotechnology and Vice -Chancellor Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, Prof. Abdulkarim Sabo Mohammed, said, “MSG is found naturally in some foods including tomatoes and cheese. Glutamate is essential for living bodies; it is a good energy source of the brain and help boost good feeling by regulating impulse transmission in the nerves.
“Excessive sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease. In fact, 30 to 40 per cent salt reduction can be achieved by adding MSG without changing the taste of the food. It is a healthy product that has been consumed by Billions of people across the Globe and there is no scientific proof yet to directly associate MSG with any health issues as suggested.”
According to the Managing Director, AFN, Mr. Noriyuki Ogushi, “more than 100 years ago, the Ajinomoto Group was founded on the discovery that glutamate is responsible for Umami taste. This discovery led to the launch of AJI-NO-MOTO ® the world’s first umami seasoning, monosodium glutamate (MSG).
“Umami is the taste of the amino acid glutamate – one of the most prevalent amino acids in nature and naturally present in foods like tomatoes, seafoods, vegetables, cheese, and milk.
“We are actively developing products and seasonings, that utilize our salt-reduction technologies and the safety of AJI-NO-MOTO® has long been scientifically proven and its safety approved by authorized agencies of the United Nations.”
Ogushi noted that based on its safety, AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning is consumed in over 130 countries, adding that the usage of MSG was to enhance taste and also increase deliciousness of food.
On his part, a Professor, Department of Microbiology, University of Ibadan, Prof. Abiodun Sanni, urged Nigerians to debunk the myths and unscientific stories about MSG and to work with facts and science, explains that glutamate has no health issues as purported in some quarters.
The Professor of Microbiology noted that MSG produces a unique and fifth taste known as Umami. “We have a lot of glutamate in our local foods. Iru for instance is umami. When you take Iru, you take a lot of glutamate. So, people should debunk the rumours about glutamate. The human body metabolizes both the natural and added glutamate in the same manner.
“MSG does not cause allergy; it does not cause asthma– no link at all; it does not cause obesity; no adverse effect on the lung. Again, no study has shown any group of people not to take glutamate,” he added.
“Despite MSG’s 113-years history of safety validated by health organizations across the globe, lingering skepticism fueled by personal anecdotes and poorly conducted research in the 1970s has unfairly villainized the ingredient.
“For decades, the “No MSG” symbol that pervades restaurant windows, grocery shelves and food products has perpetuated the false perception of MSG as dangerous and driven consumers away from enjoying an ingredient that adds savory umami taste to food.”
Head of Marketing, WASCO’s, Mr. Isah Hassan Shallangwa, also provided more safety facts about AJI -NO-MOTO® Umami seasoning and gave reasons why Nigerians should embrace it.
“AJI-NO-MOTO® MSG promotes significant sodium reduction and better enjoyment of our meals. Taste is a key factor in what people like to eat and the benefits of the seasoning include enhancing and promoting the deliciousness of our meals.
“It is rich in glutamate one of the free amino acids. Almost all seasoning contains MSG,” Shallangwa said.
Asking consumers to always work with fact and evidence and to dispel misguided information and misconception about AJI-NO-MOTO®, a lecturer in the Department of Food, Nutrition and Home Science, University of Port-Harcourt, Dr. Helen Henry-Unaeze, said there is no food that is tasty without a glutamate.
“AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning enhances the taste of food. It brings out the flavor of a wide variety of savory foods and makes them palatable. MSG can also be used to reduce the amount of sodium in foods—it contains 1/3 per cent less sodium than table salt”, she said.
Henry-Unaeze pointed out that a lot of studies have been carried out on the safety of MSG which confirmed it to be safe for human consumption.
According to her, MSG is not associated with any known health condition in all the researches done so far both locally and internationally as claimed in some quarters.
“Far from being an ingredient to fear, for many people, MSG is a useful ingredient to consume less sodium, since the glutamate in MSG enhances savory flavors within foods. MSG provides an umami flavor and depth to food.”
The Umami Seasoning Day is celebrated July 25 every year to raise awareness about the importance in cooking and its safety for consumption as it brings delicious flavor to global cuisines. The day is also aimed at educating people for better understanding and appreciation of Umami and its essential role in food.
