MSG found in Major Brand Beef Jerky
I really like jerky, be it beef, turkey or any other kind of dehydrated meat. The problem is just about all of the major brands are flavored with free glutamic acid (MSG) in various forms. In fact, I personally haven’t found any packaged jerky that doesn’t contain MSG. Here we’ll take a look at the big boys of Beef Jerky.
Oberto Natural Style Beef Jerky
Ingredients:
Beef, brown sugar, dextrose, sugar, salt, hydrolyzed corn and soy protein, natural hickory smoke flavor, corn syrup solids, water, vinegar, flavorings, molasses, sodium erythorbate, caramel color, citric acid, sodium nitrite.
At the supermarket I looked at just about all of the flavors and from what I saw they just about all had MSG in some form. I would not recommend Oberto Beef Jerky if you are concerned about consuming MSG (free glutamic acid/glutamate). Soy Sauce was a key component in many brands of beef jerky and turkey jerky that I found. As you should know, soy sauce is very high in free glutamate. Soy sauce also makes the label look “cleaner” as it doesn’t have to list monosodium glutamate.
Pemmican Premium Cut Beef Jerky
Teriyaki Flavor Ingredients:
Beef, Sugar, Water, Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Salt, less than 2% of Monosodium Glutamate,, Wine, Vinegar, Flavoring, Brown Sugar, Succinic Acid, Maltodextrin, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Nitrite, Lemon Juice Solids, Soy Lecithin. Contains Wheat and Soy
Pemmican doesn’t even hide “monosodium glutamate” in this product. But as you can see, where there is MSG on a label there is often multiple forms of it, they in a sense piggy-back or stack multiple forms of free glutamate (MSG) in their product and thus the label typically reflects that. The jerky typically tastes very good but that’s exactly why, the monosodium glutamate (MSG) makes it very tasty, but has many health problems at the same time including neurodegenerative disease, obesity and intense food cravings.
Jack Links Beef Jerky
Organic Jack Links Beef Jerky Ingredients:
Beef, water, evaporated cane juice, soy sauce powder (wheat, soybeans, salt, maltodextrin), corn syrup solids, salt, black pepper, garlic, onion.
I listed the organic version of Jack Links Beef Jerky on purpose, we know the regular line has MSG but the “Organic” label can tend to make people think that there is no bad ingredients in the food, and that’s simply not true. As we mentioned earlier in this article there is high amounts of free glutamate in soy sauce and that tends to be why manufacturers love to include it in their products. Soy sauce has a great taste (which is the MSG (free glutamic acid or Umami as the glutamate industry tries to tell us) so that’s why they add it. The regular versions of the Jack Link jerky products contain other forms of MSG (free glutamate) than soy sauce. Typically hydrolyzed corn or soy protein or other forms of hydrolyzed proteins.
Walmart Great Value Beef Jerky
Ingredients:
Beef, Water, Salt, Brown Sugar, Corn Syrup Solids, Hydrolyzed Soy & Corn Protein, Flavoring, Monosodium Glutamate, Maltodextrin, Smoke Flavor, Spice, Sodium Nitrate
Walmart also doesn’t hide the MSG in their beef jerky. They also piggyback on their label by adding even more MSG in the form of Hydrolyzed Soy & Corn Protein. Bad, bad, bad, naughty no-no! The best way to enjoy your Beef of Turkey jerky is to make it yourself. You can buy a food dehydrator on the internet or amazon for much cheaper than in a big-box store. Make your own marinades without sauces that contain MSG. You can do it, there are recipes out there that have MSG free ingredients. Use our handy list at Hidden Sources of MSG on Food Labels for a guide to ingredients to stay away from.
I am an owner of “The Jerky Guy” & “The Jerky Kids” beef jerky company. We have ZERO CHEMICALS, ZERO MSG, ZERO NOTTA that was created in a test tube somewhere in a labratory; in a blind pursuit of profit, over the health & well being of American families. The Jerky Guy beef jerky company is attempting to do what seemingly has NEVER been accomplished in the food industry: Do Business the RIGHT Way/Honestly…
Yes we use soy sauce BUT, it is Gourmet Yamassa soy sauce; which DOES NOT CONTAIN MSG OR SODIUM BENZOATE!!! We even feature what very well be, the ONLY Teriyaki beef jerky in the U.S. All the ones’ we’ve found, consist of chemicals & soy sauce; then they simply print TERIYAKI across the bag. Our Teriyaki beef jerky is a 4 generation, Hawaii’n recipe that includes sake, garlic, ginger; so it truely is TERIYAKI SAUCE. There are some companies that come close to our ingredients but, those supposedley “superior” jerkies will cost the consumer anywhere from $8-$12/per 3.5 oz. bag. We here at The Jerky Guy believe it to be, nothing short of shameful that; only the rich can provide CLEAN, HEALTHY food for their families. That is why we’ve lowered our profit margins and modeled our price points to mimic those of “Jack Links”, “Pemmican”, “Oberto” & “Tillamook”, chemically flavored/preserved 100% beef*,(*eyeballs to tail holes),in a bag: $5.99-$6.49/per 3.5oz. bag. “The Jerky Guy” uses inside top round steak, slices each & every piece across the grain & marinates each piece individually; as opposed to sticking 500lbs of 100% beef here & there with chemical injections, then tossin’ it into a blender, so that what you’re left with; is a snack with a consistancy not unlike the bottom of your shoe.
If you are sick of “All Natural*” jerky; please visit our websites @ http://www.UnbreakableNutrition.com http://www.HeyJerkyGuys.com http://www.TheJerkyGuy.com http://www.WildwestSnacks.com http://www.GreenEvolutionDistribution.com
Hi Unbreakable J, thank you for your self-promotion of your websites/products. I hate to break it to you but soy sauce, no matter how it is made, contains free glutamate, period. It can be the purest most organic soy sauce made in heaven, but the truth is, all soy sauce contains free glutamate (MSG) and LOADS of it. Why do you think soy sauce is added to beef jerky in the first place? Because it has that Umami (MSG) flavor that everybody’s brain cells love to death, literally.
Hello Mike. I do NOT know everything. In The grand scheme of things; I’m quite sure that I know nothing at all. I was however, given 2 ears & 1 mouth; as well as the good grace, to use them proportionatley.
You say above that; “all soy sauce contains free glutamic acid,(MSG) and LOADS OF IT, no matter if it were heaven sent”. So my question is simply this; HOW? You say a lot but, “show” nothing. So I’ll do the honors. Here are the ingredients of the soy sauce that, “The Jerky Guy” uses to create his Teriyaki beef jerky: WATER, WHEAT, SOYBEANS AND SEA SALT. The FULL list of ingredients for our Teriyaki jerky are as follows: BEEF, SUGAR, SOY SAUCE,(SEE ABOVE), SAKE, WATER, SALT, NATURAL EXTRACTS OF GARLIC, ONION, BLACK PEPPER, ROSEMARY, GINGER.
Again, “I know that I know nothing” but, if you’re gonna shoot someone down like that; I would beg you Sir, to have the common courtesy to explain to them, (as well as all others who should happen by this page), exactly why it is you’ve painted us out to be; “just another bunch of guys trying to make $”. Unfair & untrue. We’re doing everything we can to get REAL food, into our nations’ schools,( and in doing so), essentially going to war with companies that are worth $700 MILLION & view our success as their ultimate demise.
Thank you for your concern/comments- Unbreakable ‘J’
Unbreakable J,
In your comment you stated that I “say a lot but “show” nothing”. What exactly do you mean by this statement? If you are asking me to break down the processes of how soy sauce contains free glutamic acid or any product for that matter, perhaps you should actually read my website instead of simply promoting your products on any site that mentions “Beef Jerky and/or MSG”. You may want to go through the entire site and actually read some of the articles which may “show” you something since you’ve admitted to knowing nothing (your words).
You also stated that I “shot you down”, I’m sorry but if you are going to post your advertising on my web site and make the claim that your product does not contain MSG then you will have to accept the fact that I must correct you when you make a false claim. I apologize if you cannot take constructive criticism but I find it weak that you feel the need to lash out at me for responding to your unwelcomed promotional comment and setting you straight.
In addition, no where in my reply have I stated: “just another bunch of guys trying to make $”. These are your words and you are building a strawman attack against me. This is a part time web site for me as a tool to help spread the word to people about the dangers of MSG in their food. I do not have the time to reply with scientific details for every comment that is posted, Sorry! Read the site and do your own research on the web! Google is your friend. Learn how to use it my friend.
In summary, in regards to soy sauce containing free glutamate (MSG): Soy contains proteins, proteins are broken down to free amino acids (unbound) and broken free from their peptide bond. Free glutamic acid is harmful to the brain and body (read the articles or go online and search Russell Blaylock M.D.). Through the process of fermentation the soy breaks the proteins down and releases the glutamic acid (MSG). The only difference between Monosodium Glutamate and free Glutamic acid is the added sodium salt. The free glutamic acid is what makes MSG harmful, the salt means nothing. Again, if you would have actually read the web site, you would see how I break this down over and over again in the vast majority of my posts. Hopefully god also gave you two eyes to read with.
I beg your pardon Sir. You have my sincerest apologies. You’re absolutely right; I couldn’t have been more wrong.
I am in the medical journals as the only guy to ever survive such injuries. This has been attributed to my being 226lbs @ 9% body fat, that & a little bit of luck eh? 
When I awoke from my coma; it was explained to me that, my sniffer wasn’t so lucky. I had suffered brain damage & would never be able to smell anything again. There went my career in fine dining. So rather than cry about it; I took fine dining, fitness & married the two! The result: I am now an owner of “The Jerky Guy” & “The Jerky Kids”. My mission is to tear down the curtain that shields the current business model of 9/10 U.S. food manufacturers. As I’m no longer supposed to be here; I decided to work day ‘n night to accomplish the extraordinary.
In your assessment of what I had done, again; you were absolutely correct Sir. I went and posted what I did, without reading your article first. When it was first sent to me; I got excited & simply posted our jerky up there on your site. Then when I received your prompt correction, I committed the mother of all screw ups & assumed you were probably just someone from the current regime of snack food manufacturers; simply looking to, “even the playing field”, so to speak. Unfortunately; there’s no other way I can describe my action other than; I blew it, plain & simple…
I am on your side Sir. I was forced into this line of work and am as green, as the sky is blue. You see, I was a personal trainer by day & waiter/bartender/free lance sommelier by night. Then on 1/06/05, a drunk driver ran his car front/rear wheels directly over my chest. Then on 1/26/06 I was t-boned on the highway 101, by a Golden Gate Transit bus @ 60mph while seated motionless in an ’89 Mazda RX-7 convertible (if you have a son or daughter nearing 16 years of age); I highly recommend this vehicle. Stellar engineering!
Thank you for, “slapping me in the face” & I am truly grateful, for the knowledge you’ve bestowed upon me. I took your advice & googled some info on MSG.
“Carcinogens in Artificial Soy Sauces”
In 2001 the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency found in tests of low-grade soy sauces, (those made from hydrolyzed soy protein, rather than being naturally fermented), that some 22% of samples contained a chemical called 3-MCPD(3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol) at levels considerably higher than those deemed safe by the European Union. About two-thirds of those samples also contained a second chemical called 1,3-DCPC (1,3-diochloropropane-2-ol) which experts advise should not be present at any levels in food. Both chemicals have the potential to cause cancer & the agency recommended that the affected products be withdrawn from store shelves and avoided. Furthermore, the latter unregulated chemical can cause genetic damage to be passed on to offspring, who’d never consumed the sauces.
I suppose for the time being at least, my new pitch is going to have to be; “We’re not perfect BUT, we’re leaps, bounds & fathoms above the rest”, or perhaps; We are the Toyota Prius-40mpg of the snack food world, as compared to that of a Hummer-9mpg & we’re hard @ work creating the solar powered model!
Once again, I stand corrected. Thank you Sir!
Unbreakable ‘J’
http://www.UnbreakableNutrition.com
I’m sorry to hear about your accidents. After those experiences I’m sure you’re doing better now spiritually than ever before. Gives you a whole different perspective on life. Congrats on your natural foods business and achievements. I wasn’t looking for an apology, just wanted to set things straight and defend myself. It sounds like you are on the right track with your products, if you make a version without the soy sauce I can do a write-up about it as a product that doesn’t contain free glutamate (MSG). I’m not saying soy sauce is evil or you’re company for that matter, I just personally don’t eat it because I know it has high levels of glutamate from the fermentation process that occurs on the proteins. I’ll also buy some if you do one without soy sauce. The flavors sound good and I do love some good beef jerky. I can’t find any at the store that don’t have MSG added so I just never buy it. Keep me posted. Good luck!
Howdy Mike,
I am the president and originator of the Jerky Guy beef jerky company. I just came across these posts from one of my investors.
A little background…I am extremely sensitive to MSG and aspartame. When I eat a food product with a large amount of MSG I break out in hives. When I ingest even a small amount of aspartame…I immediately get sick to my stomach and get a pounding headache. I am well aware that soy sauce has Glutamate that naturally occurs in the processing/fermentation of this soy bean product. Our goal has always been not to add any additional Glutamates via any other ingredients. I can say that I have never had a reaction to eating my jerky…thus, the amounts of MSG in our product must be extremely small. Without using soy sauce in our jerky marinades is not possible. Our flavor profiles…especially our teriyaki jerky would not be authentic without its use. The amount of soy sauce in our other flavors is more than half of our teriyaki. I am actually a subscriber to Dr. Baylocks news letters…so, I am definitely aware that MSG is an excitotoxin. To end…we are proud that we can offer a product that in general is not full of additives…sodium erythorbate, sodium benzoate (we have Yamasa leave this out of our soy sauce), sodium nitrite, red dyes and numerous other chemical additives you have mentioned. Thus, we are your best bet if you want to enjoy a product that is the second largest snack food in the USA…and get the one that is the healthiest on the market. Our newest line…the Jerky Kids ™…meets or exceeds school nutritional guidelines regarding sodium/sugar/high protein, 98% fat free. I would much rather have my kids eat our jerky, rather than flavored chips, soda, donuts, fried foods, etc. So, if kids are gonna snack on something…we are a much better choice in the end. Kids eat absolute crap and parents have few choices that their kids will actually eat. Our goal is to give parents a choice of one of their most preferred snacks…beef jerky.
I hope this has helped clarify our company’s goals and future efforts.
Warm jerky regards,
Jon Beltran
President
The Jerky Guy (R) Co.
The Jerky Kids (TM)
Greetings Jon,
I’m a bit perplexed, you say you are the president and originator of The Jerky Guy. That’s odd because Jeremy Mayfield says HE is the president and originator of The Jerky Guy also. Could you please explain this as well as why you are posting an advertisement for your products on my page when in the very same comments you can see I had this exact same conversation with Jeremy. Thanks.
-Mike
Hello again Mike. I’ll explain it for you.
Thank you Sir.
Sir, I made a horrible mistake & have already apologized profusely for it. This is just ridiculous at this point.
You responded to the president of The Jerky Guy,(Jon Beltran), saying that you’re perplexed? It is I Sir, who you’ve now gone and “perplexed”. You claim that I said that, I WAS THE “PRESIDENT”/”ORIGINATOR” of “The Jerky Guy”. This is what perplexes me. It is clear from your response to Mr. Beltran that you too, are now guilty of responding to somthing, before reading it closely. If you READ what I wrote; NOWHERE, do I claim to be the “PRESIDENT”, or “ORIGINATOR” of “The Jerky Guy” or “The Jerky Kids” beef jerky company. NOWHERE!!! I AM, The President of “Unbreakable Nutrition”, a sales & distribution company I’ve built, to help promote The JGuy & JKids,( the company I invested in with the settlement $ I received from my first accident). Get it?—I got run over & hit by a bus—ding, ding, ding—I’m “Unbreakable”, so should be my company!
1 more thing; everyone/company has unique motivations. Jon is a father and has HIS own personal goals for his company & My goal for MY company; is to expose the clean labeling tactics,(I don’t believe that ALL chemicals are evil or anything & I do understand the necessity for a lot of them HOWEVER; I whole heartedly believe that, the consumer has the absolute RIGHT to know, whether or not there are chemicals in what they’re eating; It should be a CHOICE, not lies cleverly shrouded by creative marketing/legal language). If you READ my letter above, you’ll see I’ve written that “exposing clean labeling” is,(“ME”/”MY”/personal mission), for Unbreakable Nutrition. It just so happens that, Jon & I are on the same team & our personal goals happen to compliment each other quite seamlessly; that is until, another Jerky Guy partner of ours, sent me this link & I committed my thoughtless blunder to begin with… Just so as we’re “Crystal”, Jon Beltran is the President/Originator of http://www.TheJerkyGuy.com & I am the President/Originator of http://www.UnbreakableNutrition.com
I shan’t bother you again. I just,( as you said to me once), needed to “set things straight & defend myself”; as you’ve gone and claimed that I said things that; as clear as the air you’ve just exhaled; I DID NOT SAY…
We believe in REAL FOOD. You believe in REAL FOOD. Let’s do us both justice & get back on the same side of line shall we?
Train Hard/Rest Deep/Eat Clean—Be Well…
The Jerky Guy is piece of crap his jerky Sucks and so does his Attitude what an ASS HOLE! This guy is a total ” Hot Head ” The comments above are all from the jerky guy they are the same person that is what this dip shit does! He speaks before thinking as you can see.
Hey Jerky Guy the name fits you to a ” T ” Nice way to advertise a business and not know what your talking about Douche Bag.
Great Job Mike!