Tag: Xenophobia

In 1968, a letter published in the *New England Journal of Medicine* first coined the term "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome," fueling a persistent myth about what is MSG Chinese food syndrome?. This concept, now known as MSG symptom complex, is largely unsupported by scientific evidence for the general population and was unfortunately rooted in racist and xenophobic biases against Chinese cuisine.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer naturally found in foods like tomatoes and cheese, yet for over 50 years, many believed MSG was bad for their health. The myth traces back to a single letter published in a medical journal in 1968, which ignited a wave of unscientific fear and prejudice against Asian cuisine.

In 1968, a letter to the *New England Journal of Medicine* sparked a decades-long fear of monosodium glutamate (MSG). This controversial moment led to the myth of "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" and created an unfair stigma around the umami-rich seasoning.

First produced in 1908 by a Japanese chemist seeking to isolate the savory flavor of seaweed, MSG was widely used in processed foods for decades before fear-mongering began in the late 1960s.

In 1968, a letter published in a medical journal kicked off a decades-long controversy, leading many to believe that MSG is bad. This widespread misconception, fueled by flawed science and cultural bias, has long tarnished the reputation of this savory flavor enhancer.

Despite decades of scientific research supporting its safety, monosodium glutamate (MSG) has long been surrounded by controversy and fear. So, is MSG really that unhealthy, or is its reputation a product of flawed science and cultural bias? This article explores the evidence to set the record straight.

A 1968 letter published in the *New England Journal of Medicine* sparked decades of fear around the flavor enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG). This article explores **what was the problem with MSG**, detailing the flawed science and xenophobia that fueled public hysteria and led to lasting misconceptions about a safe food additive.

According to a 2018 review in the journal *Food Science and Food Safety*, claims linking MSG to various health problems are largely unsubstantiated. The misconception that MSG was considered bad originated from a single, poorly documented letter in a medical journal during the 1960s, a narrative fueled by xenophobic biases against Chinese food and culture.