What Chips Don't Have MSG? A Comprehensive Guide

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, food manufacturers add MSG to many processed snacks, including numerous chip brands, to enhance savory flavor. But for those sensitive to monosodium glutamate or who prefer to avoid additives, the search for delicious chips without MSG can be a challenge. This guide offers insights into reading ingredient lists and highlights specific brands that explicitly avoid added MSG.

Quick Summary

This guide covers how to identify MSG on chip labels, lists popular brands and varieties that are free of added MSG, and explains what other ingredients might contain hidden glutamates.

Key Points

Check Labels Thoroughly: Look for "monosodium glutamate" and also be aware of hidden sources like "yeast extract" or "hydrolyzed vegetable protein".
Choose Simple Flavors: Plain, salted, or original varieties are less likely to contain added MSG than heavily flavored options like cheese or ranch.
Look for "No Added MSG" Claims: While not a guarantee against all glutamates, this can indicate a more transparent ingredient list.
Explore Specific Brands: Brands like Kettle, Guy's Snacks, and certain Frito-Lay and Utz products offer MSG-free options.
Shop at Natural Food Stores: Retailers like Trader Joe's and health food markets often carry a greater selection of additive-free chips.

Understanding MSG in Chips

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer used widely in processed foods to create a savory, or umami, taste. While the FDA classifies it as "generally recognized as safe," some individuals report sensitivities to the additive. For this reason, many companies now produce product lines with no added MSG. However, identifying these products requires a careful eye, as manufacturers can sometimes use other ingredients containing naturally-occurring glutamates that produce a similar flavor-enhancing effect.

Why Check for Hidden Glutamates?

Manufacturers must list "monosodium glutamate" by name if it is an added ingredient. However, they are not required to label food products that contain naturally occurring MSG. This is why phrases like "no added MSG" can sometimes be misleading. For those with severe sensitivities, it's important to recognize these other potential sources. Key ingredients to watch out for include:

Yeast extract
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP)
Autolyzed yeast extract
Disodium guanylate (E627)
Disodium inosinate (E631)

The Rise of "Clean Label" Chips

In recent years, the consumer demand for simpler, more transparent food products has led to the growth of "clean label" brands. These companies often market their products as being free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives, including MSG. They rely on quality, whole-food ingredients and natural spice blends to achieve a satisfying flavor profile. This approach benefits consumers who want to avoid specific additives but don't want to sacrifice taste.

Brands of Chips That Don't Have MSG

Finding snack options that fit your dietary needs is easier than ever with more brands offering transparent ingredient lists. The following is a list of brands and specific products known for their no-added-MSG policies:

Frito-Lay: Despite the popular misconception, Frito-Lay offers a wide variety of chips without added MSG. Their official website lists many options, including certain Tostitos and Lay's Baked products.
- Examples: Tostitos Original Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips, Lay's Baked Original Potato Crisps.
Kettle Brand: Famous for their kettle-cooked style, many Kettle Brand chips, particularly their simple flavors, are free from MSG.
- Examples: Kettle Brand Unsalted Potato Chips, Kettle Brand Sea Salt Potato Chips.
Ruffles: Certain Ruffles products also appear on the official Frito-Lay no-added-MSG list.
- Examples: Ruffles Baked Original Potato Crisps, Ruffles Simply Sea Salted Potato Chips.
Trader Joe's: The popular grocery chain is known for its store-brand products and offers a wide selection of MSG-free chips.
Guy's Snacks: As per their product descriptions, Guy's offers chips with only natural ingredients, no MSG, and no trans-fat.
- Examples: Guy's Original Crispy Potato Chips.
Utz: Some Utz brand chips, particularly the unflavored or simply salted varieties, do not contain MSG.
- Examples: Utz No Salt Added Original Potato Chips.
Fresh Earth: This brand focuses on handmade, simple crisps that are free of MSG and other additives.
- Examples: Fresh Earth Hand Made Salted Crisps.

Comparison Table: MSG-Free vs. Conventional Chips

This table highlights the differences between an MSG-free chip brand and a conventional, flavor-enhanced brand. The goal is to showcase why consumers might prefer one over the other based on ingredient transparency and taste profile.


Feature	MSG-Free Chips (e.g., Kettle Sea Salt)	Conventional Chips (e.g., Doritos Nacho Cheese)
Key Ingredients	Potatoes, vegetable oil, sea salt	Corn, vegetable oil, maltodextrin, whey, monosodium glutamate
Flavor Profile	Clean, crisp potato flavor with natural saltiness	Complex, savory, and intensely umami flavor
Additives	Generally none, focuses on simple, natural ingredients	Often contains MSG, natural and artificial flavors, and other enhancers
Labeling Transparency	Simple and easy to read, minimal ingredients	Longer ingredient list with potential for hidden glutamates
Target Audience	Health-conscious, those with sensitivities, clean eaters	General consumers who prioritize bold, processed flavors

Making an Informed Decision

For those seeking alternatives to chips with added monosodium glutamate, the market offers a growing number of choices. A key strategy is to always check the ingredient label, particularly for words like "yeast extract" and "hydrolyzed vegetable protein". While these ingredients are not MSG itself, they contain naturally occurring glutamates that can trigger sensitivities in some individuals. Shopping at stores known for their emphasis on natural foods, like Trader Joe's, or checking brand websites for dietary information can also be very helpful.

Conclusion

Navigating the snack aisle to find products free of MSG is a manageable task, provided you know what to look for on ingredient labels. Many reputable brands, from mainstream manufacturers like Frito-Lay to dedicated health food brands like Kettle and Guy's, offer delicious options that meet this need. By being aware of both direct MSG additives and potential hidden sources like yeast extract, consumers can make informed choices and enjoy their favorite crunchy snacks with peace of mind. As consumer preferences continue to shift towards cleaner, more natural foods, it is likely that the selection of MSG-free chips will only continue to expand.

For more information on decoding food labels and understanding additives, visit the Environmental Working Group's website. [https://www.ewg.org/foodscores/content/natural-vs-artificial-flavors/]

Frequently Asked Questions

Frito-Lay's official website lists several Tostitos varieties without added MSG, including Tostitos Bite Size Tortilla Chips, Tostitos Original Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips, and Tostitos Scoops.

For food labeling purposes in the U.S., MSG cannot be hidden under the 'natural flavors' label. However, some natural flavor sources like yeast extract contain naturally occurring glutamates, which can cause a similar reaction for those sensitive to it.

While less common, some plain chips can still contain additives. It is always safest to read the ingredient list, even for simple flavors, to confirm the absence of MSG or other glutamate sources.

Chemically, the glutamate in MSG is indistinguishable from the glutamate found naturally in foods like cheese and tomatoes. The difference lies in the processing, and some individuals may react differently to the concentrated, added form.

Disodium guanylate (E627) and disodium inosinate (E631) are other flavor enhancers that often work synergistically with MSG to boost its effect. If you are sensitive to MSG, you may also want to avoid these.

No. A 'no added MSG' label means the manufacturer did not include MSG as a direct ingredient, but it may still contain ingredients with naturally occurring glutamates like yeast extract. An 'MSG-free' label is much rarer and harder to guarantee, so a cautious approach is best.

Checking the official website of a food manufacturer, such as Frito-Lay's dietary needs section, is a good starting point. Many health-focused stores like Trader Joe's also clearly label their products.