Does Johnsonville Sausage Have MSG in It? A Deep Dive into the Ingredients

November 4, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Johnsonville's official FAQs, the company currently uses monosodium glutamate (MSG) in some of its sausage products to harmonize flavors. This means the answer to "Does Johnsonville sausage have MSG in it?" depends entirely on the specific product you are purchasing. While some feature added MSG, others are produced without it entirely.

Quick Summary

Some Johnsonville sausage varieties contain added MSG to enhance flavor, while many others are explicitly labeled MSG-free. Consumers must check the ingredient statement on individual product packaging to determine if monosodium glutamate or other glutamate-containing additives are present.

Key Points

Not All Products Are the Same: Johnsonville's use of MSG varies by product; some contain added monosodium glutamate while others are specifically labeled "No MSG".
Always Read the Label: The definitive way to know if a specific Johnsonville sausage contains MSG is to check the ingredient list on its packaging.
Know the Hidden Sources: Some products, like the Fully Cooked Breakfast Sausage Patties, contain yeast extract, which is a source of naturally occurring glutamates.
MSG-Free Options Exist: Several popular Johnsonville products, including certain smoked and natural varieties, do not contain any added MSG.
Labeling Regulations: The FDA requires added MSG to be explicitly listed, but ingredients with naturally occurring glutamates (like yeast extract) must also be listed, though not labeled as MSG.

The Truth Behind Johnsonville’s Ingredients

For consumers concerned about monosodium glutamate (MSG), determining whether a food product contains it can be confusing. Johnsonville, a major sausage producer, is transparent on its website: some of its products contain added MSG, and some do not. The key is to know where to look and what to look for, as ingredients can vary widely across different product lines, such as fresh sausage, smoked sausage, and breakfast links.

Which Johnsonville Sausages Contain Added MSG?

Added MSG will always be listed on the ingredient label as "monosodium glutamate". A search of Johnsonville's own product pages confirms that certain products explicitly list this additive. For example:

Original Summer Sausage (12 oz.): Ingredients list shows "monosodium glutamate".
Fully Cooked Original Breakfast Sausage: Ingredients list includes "monosodium glutamate".
Johnsonville Gluten-Free Frozen Breakfast Sausage (Canadian variant): Ingredients list mentions "Monosodium Glutamate".

These examples show that MSG is an active ingredient in some of the company's offerings, primarily to enhance flavor and create the savory taste profile Johnsonville is known for.

Johnsonville Sausages Labeled "No MSG"

To appeal to a broader market, Johnsonville also produces a variety of products that are marketed as having no MSG. These products clearly state this on the packaging and on their website product descriptions. Examples include:

Smoked Rope Sausage: Explicitly states "never uses... MSG".
Mild Italian Sausage Slices: Labeled "No MSG".
Beef Smoked Sausage: The label highlights "No MSG".
Naturals Original Breakfast Sausage: Marketed as being made with "no artificial colors or flavors" and no MSG.
Original Bratwurst: On Amazon, the product is described as containing "No Nitrates" and being a popular choice for those avoiding artificial additives.

This variety allows consumers to choose based on their dietary preferences and sensitivity to MSG. However, it requires careful reading of the label for each specific product.

Understanding Natural vs. Added Glutamates

Beyond explicitly added MSG, consumers should be aware of naturally occurring glutamates. Ingredients like yeast extract or autolyzed yeast extract also contain naturally high levels of glutamate, which provides a similar savory, umami flavor profile. The FDA does not require products containing these ingredients to be labeled as containing MSG, but it also prohibits them from claiming "No MSG".

For instance, Johnsonville's Fully Cooked Original Breakfast Sausage Patties contain "yeast extract" in their ingredients. While this is not added MSG, it is a source of concentrated natural glutamate. Individuals with a sensitivity to glutamates may want to look out for these ingredients as well.

How to Check for MSG on the Label

Examine the ingredient list: Look for "monosodium glutamate" or "MSG" listed explicitly. The FDA mandates this be listed clearly.
Scan for natural glutamate sources: Look for ingredients like "yeast extract," "autolyzed yeast extract," "hydrolyzed vegetable protein," or "soy extract." These are not added MSG, but they do contain naturally occurring glutamates.
Read the marketing claims: Look for labels that say "No MSG" or "No Added MSG." If you see these, the product will not have added monosodium glutamate, but it may still contain natural glutamates from other ingredients, so it is still wise to check the ingredient list if you are highly sensitive.

Comparison of Popular Johnsonville Sausages

To make ingredient checking easier, here is a comparison of several popular Johnsonville products based on their known ingredient information.


Product Name	Added MSG?	Contains Natural Glutamates (e.g., Yeast Extract)?	Notes
Original Summer Sausage	Yes	No	Explicitly lists monosodium glutamate.
Fully Cooked Original Breakfast Sausage	Yes	No	Explicitly lists monosodium glutamate.
Smoked Rope Sausage	No	No	Clearly labeled MSG-free.
Mild Italian Sausage Slices	No	No	Clearly labeled MSG-free.
Fully Cooked Breakfast Sausage Patties	No	Yes	Contains yeast extract.
Original Breakfast Sausage Links (Raw)	No	No	Ingredient list does not mention MSG or yeast extract.
Smoked Beef Rope Sausage	No	No	Clearly labeled MSG-free.

Conclusion: The Ingredient Label is Your Guide

While Johnsonville does produce certain sausages containing added MSG, it is not a blanket policy for all their products. Many popular varieties are specifically formulated and labeled without it. For a consumer, the most reliable method for determining a sausage's MSG content is to carefully read the ingredient statement on the packaging before purchasing. Being aware of naturally occurring glutamate sources like yeast extract is also crucial for those with sensitivities. The company's diverse product range caters to different dietary needs, but the ultimate responsibility lies with the consumer to verify the label. For additional information on specific products, always check the official Johnsonville website.

The FDA is an excellent source for understanding food additive labeling regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Specific products known to contain added MSG include the Original Summer Sausage (12 oz.) and some fully cooked breakfast sausages. You can confirm by checking the ingredient list for "monosodium glutamate".

No, not all Johnsonville products are MSG-free. While many are produced without added MSG, the company uses it in some varieties for flavor enhancement. It is necessary to check the packaging of each product.

No, yeast extract is not the same as added MSG, but it is a natural source of glutamates. The FDA considers yeast extract and monosodium glutamate to be different ingredients for labeling purposes, but both contribute to the umami flavor.

According to the company, it uses monosodium glutamate in some products to help harmonize and enhance the overall flavor profile of the sausage.

The most reliable place to find the ingredient list is on the actual product packaging. You can also find ingredient information for many products on the official Johnsonville website.

The glutamate in added MSG is chemically identical to the glutamate that occurs naturally in foods like yeast extract, tomatoes, and cheese. The difference lies in how they are labeled, as the FDA requires added MSG to be explicitly named.

Yes, individuals who are sensitive to MSG may also react to the glutamates naturally present in ingredients like yeast extract. Checking labels for these sources is recommended.