Do Most Grocery Stores Have MSG? Finding the Flavor Enhancer

November 10, 2025 •

4 min read

In a 2024 review, the FDA reaffirmed that MSG is "generally recognized as safe" for consumption, a fact that underscores its widespread use. Yes, most grocery stores have MSG, both as a standalone product and as a flavor-enhancing ingredient in countless processed goods.

Quick Summary

Monosodium glutamate is available in most grocery stores as a standalone seasoning and is an ingredient in countless packaged and processed foods.

Key Points

Widely Available: Pure MSG is sold in the spice aisle of most grocery stores under brand names like Accent or Ajinomoto.
Hidden in Processed Foods: MSG is a flavor enhancer in many common packaged items, including snacks, soups, and condiments.
Different Labeling: While direct MSG must be listed as "monosodium glutamate," related ingredients with naturally occurring glutamate, like yeast extract, may not be explicitly labeled as such.
Naturally Occurring Glutamate: Many whole foods like tomatoes, mushrooms, and cheese contain naturally high levels of glutamate, which is chemically identical to the glutamate in MSG.
Safe for Most People: The FDA and other major health organizations consider MSG to be "generally recognized as safe" for the general population.
Read Labels Carefully: To avoid added MSG, consumers should check for "monosodium glutamate" and other potential sources like "hydrolyzed protein" or "yeast extract".

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) has long been a subject of conversation, often misunderstood but widely used. The simple answer to the question "Do most grocery stores have MSG?" is yes, unequivocally. Not only can you find pure MSG for sale on the shelves, but it is also a staple ingredient hidden within many of the packaged and processed items that line grocery store aisles. Understanding where to look and how to interpret food labels is key to navigating its presence.

Finding Standalone MSG in the Grocery Store

For those who want to add the pure umami flavor to their home cooking, finding MSG is straightforward if you know where to look. Most major supermarket chains stock MSG, typically in one of two places:

The Spice Aisle: Look for it alongside other flavor enhancers, meat tenderizers, and seasoned salts. Common brands you'll find here include Accent.
The International Foods Section: Given its prevalence in Asian cuisine, many stores place MSG, often under the brand name Aji-No-Moto, in the aisle dedicated to Asian cooking ingredients, near soy sauce, rice vinegar, and other seasonings.

MSG as a Hidden Ingredient in Packaged Foods

Beyond the dedicated spice container, MSG is a common additive in countless processed and packaged items. Food manufacturers use it to boost the savory (umami) flavor, making products more palatable and satisfying. Some of the product categories most likely to contain added MSG include:

Chips and other savory snacks
Canned and dried soups
Instant noodle products
Seasoning blends and bouillon cubes
Processed meats like hot dogs, sausages, and lunch meat
Condiments such as salad dressings, barbecue sauce, and ketchup
Frozen dinners and pizzas

The Umami Connection

To understand why MSG is so widely used, one must grasp the concept of umami, the fifth basic taste alongside sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Umami is described as a savory, meaty flavor. MSG provides the purest form of umami, which intensifies and rounds out the other flavors in a dish. This makes it a popular tool for both home cooks and large-scale food processors.

Naturally Occurring Glutamates

It's important to differentiate between added MSG and naturally occurring glutamate. Glutamate is an amino acid found naturally in protein-rich foods, and our bodies metabolize both sources of glutamate in the same way. Many whole foods naturally contain high levels of glutamate, contributing to their savory taste. Examples include:

Cheeses, especially aged ones like Parmesan
Tomatoes and tomato paste
Mushrooms
Fermented products like soy sauce
Broccoli and peas

How to Read Food Labels for MSG and Its Cousins

Due to its negative reputation, some food manufacturers try to hide MSG on labels by using alternative names. While the FDA requires "monosodium glutamate" to be listed if it's added directly, other ingredients that contain naturally occurring glutamate may not have this explicit label. Be on the lookout for these ingredients:

Yeast extract
Hydrolyzed protein (vegetable, soy, or protein isolate)
Autolyzed yeast
Soy extract
Disodium inosinate (E631) or guanylate (E627), which enhance the effect of glutamate

The Safety and Controversy of MSG

Despite decades of misinformation stemming from the 1968 "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" letter, the scientific consensus today is that MSG is safe for the general population. Authoritative bodies like the FDA and the World Health Organization classify it as safe. Reported symptoms are often mild and short-lived, typically associated with consuming very large doses on an empty stomach, an unlikely scenario in typical cooking. The stigma surrounding MSG is often attributed to xenophobic biases, and modern chefs and food advocates are working to correct the misconception.

A Comparison of MSG Sources


Type	Common Examples	Grocery Store Location	Labeling
Pure MSG	Accent, Aji-No-Moto	Spice aisle, international section	Clearly listed as "Monosodium Glutamate"
Added MSG (Processed)	Snack chips, canned soups, instant noodles	Snack aisle, canned goods, frozen foods	Listed as "Monosodium Glutamate," or hidden as "yeast extract," "hydrolyzed protein," etc.
Naturally Occurring Glutamate	Parmesan cheese, tomatoes, soy sauce	Dairy aisle, produce, condiments	Not labeled as MSG, simply listed by the ingredient's common name

Navigating the Aisle for an Informed Choice

Ultimately, MSG's presence in most grocery stores is a reflection of its ubiquitous use in the food industry. For most people, it poses no significant health risk when consumed in normal amounts. For those sensitive to it or wishing to avoid it for other reasons, the key is careful label reading, recognizing both the direct and hidden forms. By prioritizing whole, unprocessed foods and being aware of ingredient lists on packaged items, consumers can make informed choices that align with their dietary preferences. The stigma around MSG is slowly fading as science prevails, but a discerning eye remains the best tool for any grocery shopper. FDA on MSG Safety

Frequently Asked Questions

You can typically find pure MSG, such as the Accent or Aji-No-Moto brands, in the spice aisle alongside other flavor enhancers or in the international foods section near Asian cooking ingredients.

Chemically, the glutamate in MSG is identical to the glutamate found naturally in foods like cheese and tomatoes. The body metabolizes both in the same way, but added MSG in processed foods is concentrated and comes in a pure, free form.

Yes. While direct MSG must be labeled as "monosodium glutamate," other ingredients containing glutamate, such as yeast extract, hydrolyzed protein, and autolyzed yeast, may not explicitly mention MSG.

Common processed foods with added MSG include chips and savory snacks, instant noodle soups, seasoning blends, processed meats, frozen dinners, and many condiments like salad dressings and barbecue sauce.

The idea that MSG is particularly linked to Chinese restaurants, a concept known as 'Chinese Restaurant Syndrome,' has been largely debunked as xenophobic. While some restaurants, like other food service establishments, may use MSG, the health concerns associated with it have been disproven by scientific studies.

Yes, because MSG contains about one-third the amount of sodium as table salt, it can be used to reduce the overall sodium content of a dish while still maintaining a salty, palatable flavor profile.

No. A "No added MSG" label simply means the pure seasoning wasn't included. The product could still contain naturally occurring glutamate from ingredients like yeast extract, soy sauce, or hydrolyzed protein, which are not considered added MSG by regulators like the FDA.