Many Popular McDonalds food items contain MSG (free glutamate) from various sources.

A quick look at the McDonalds ingredient list on their website makes it absolutely clear to the MSG informed. McDonalds food contains MSG (free glutamate) in many of their most popular food items. Do you eat Chicken McNuggets or Premium Chicken Breast Strips because you think they may be healthier than other things at McDonalds? If you understand at all what MSG (free glutamate) does to your body (obesity), brain, endocrine system, then you’ll want to know what to stay away from food-wise. I can’t recommend people not eat at McDonalds at all because that’s not my place, but it’s fast food and you know it’s not health food. The list following are food items on the McDonalds menu that contain MSG (free glutamate) from various sources. The ingredients listed are known to contain or are typically suspected to contain MSG (free glutamic acid) unless noted otherwise. The underlined ingredients are huge give-aways and Always contain MSG (free glutamate/glutamic acid). Also see our list of Hidden Sources of MSG on Food Labels.

Big Mac® Sauce:

• Vegetable Protein (hydrolyzed corn, soy and wheat)

Chicken Selects® Premium Breast Strip:

• Seasoning (Autolyzed Yeast Extract, maltodextrin, chicken broth, natural flavor)

Grilled Chicken Breast Filet:

• Seasoning (maltodextrin, spices, autolyzed yeast extract, hydrolyzed (corn gluten, soy, wheat gluten), chicken broth, natural flavors

Southern Style Crispy Chicken Breast Filet:

• Yeast Extract, Carrageenan***, maltodextrin, natural flavors

Chicken McNuggets contain MSG (free glutamate).

French Fries

• Natural Beef Flavor CONTAINS: WHEAT AND MILK (Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients)

Chicken McNuggets®:

• Chicken Flavor (Autolyzed Yeast Extract, natural flavoring)

Barbeque Sauce:

• Soy Sauce

Sweet ‘N Sour Sauce:

• Soy Sauce

Creamy Ranch Sauce:

• Monosodium glutamate,

Yes the fries have MSG. It's beef flavoring that is hydrolyzed.

Chili Lime Tortilla Strips:

• Autolyzed Yeast Extract, maltodextrin, citric acid

Grilled Chicken Breast Filet:

• Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Hydrolyzed (corn gluten, soy, wheat gluten) proteins, chicken broth, natural flavors

Newman’s Own® Low Fat Family Recipe Italian Dressing:

• Hydrolyzed soy protein, citric acid

Sausage Patty:

• Whey protein concentrate, monosodium glutamate, citric acid, BHA and BHT** Note: BHA & BHT do not contain MSG but there are other health risks. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, consider BHA to be possibly carcinogenic to humans, and the State of California has listed it as a carcinogen. Some studies show the same cancer causing possibilities for BHT

Southern Style Chicken Sandwich has MSG (free glutamate)

Hash Browns:

• Natural Beef Flavor (wheat and milk derivatives) Note: Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients.
  

Sausage & Scrambled Egg Mix:

• Monosodium Glutamate

Southern Style Crispy Breakfast Chicken Breast:

• Yeast Extract, carrageenan***, maltodextrin, natural flavor

***A Note About Carrageenan

“Carrageenan increases free radicals. It is a polysaccharide made from a seaweed, the substance is known to produce intense inflammatory reactions when injected into tissues. In fact, the intense reaction is so reproducible it is used when researchers want to study inflammation. Inflammation is strongly associated with intense free-radical production within tissues. It also may promote accelerated bowel cancer growth.” Carrageenan is used as a thickener. When even small amounts of carrageenan are injected near developing tumors in animals, tumor growth, and eventual metastasis, increases dramatically¹.”
-Source: Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills by Russell Blaylock M.D.

1.) Raz A, Levine G, Khomiak Y. Acute local inflammation potentiates tumor growth in mice. Cancer Letters 148(2000): 115-120

Some Starbucks Sandwiches contain MSG

Some Starbucks sandwiches and pasta contain MSG in various forms of free glutamate such as Yeast Extract and Autolyzed Yeast Extract. Nutrition facts and ingredient listings are unique to each region or market. I took selections of sandwiches from the U.S. west coast and east coast. Included are breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches and pasta. The sandwiches that contain MSG are as listed:

(*) Tarragon Chicken Salad Sandwich
(*) Reduced-Fat Turkey Bacon, Cholesterol-Free Egg, Reduced-Fat White Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich
(*) Portobello Mushroom Piadini
(*) Pesto Pasta with White Chicken

Tarragon Chicken Salad Sandwich

INGREDIENTS:

TARRAGON CHICKEN BREAST WITH RIB MEAT SALAD (FULLY COOKED DICED CHICKEN BREAST WITH RIB MEAT [CHICKEN BREAST WITH RIB MEAT, WATER, SEASONING (SALT, MALTODEXTRIN, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, FLAVORING, CHICKEN FAT, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% DRIED CHICKEN, CHICKEN BROTH, CITRIC ACID, DEXTRIN, DEXTROSE, SUGAR), RICE STARCH, SALT, BLACK PEPPER], LIGHT MAYONNAISE [WATER, SOYBEAN OIL, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH*, EGG YOLKS, VINEGAR (CONTAINS SULFITES), CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF SALT, EGGS, MUSTARD FLOUR, WITH POTASSIUM SORBATE* AND CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA AS PRESERVATIVES, PHOSPHORIC ACID*, DL-ALPHA TOCOPHERYL ACETATE (VITAMIN E), OLEORESIN PAPRIKA, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, PHYLLOQUINONE (VITAMIN K1), *INGREDIENTS NOT NORMALLY FOUND IN MAYONNAISE], CELERY, FAT FREE PLAIN YOGURT [CULTURED PASTEURIZED GRADE A FAT FREE MILK, MODIFIED TAPIOCA STARCH, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE (MILK), KOSHER GELATIN, TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE], DRIED SWEETENED CRANBERRIES [CRANBERRIES, SUGAR, SUNFLOWER OIL], MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, TARRAGON, CELERY SEED, BLACK PEPPER), MULTIGRAIN BREAD (BLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLATE], WATER, YELLOW CORN GRITS, BROWN SUGAR [SUGAR, CANE SYRUPS], YEAST, WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, HONEY, PRECOOKED LONG GRAIN BROWN RICE, BABY OAT FLAKES, COARSE CRACKED WHEAT, WHEAT GLUTEN, SALT, SESAME SEEDS, DOUGH IMPROVER: [WHEAT FLOUR, CALCIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, SALT, CALCIUM SULFATE, DATEM, SOY OIL, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: POTASSIUM IODATE, ASCORBIC ACID, ENZYME, L-CYSTEINE, AZODICARBONAMIDE], CALCIUM PROPIONATE [TO RETARD SPOILAGE], POPPY SEED, CARAMEL COLOR, WHEAT FLOUR AND ENZYMES, ASCORBIC ACID), LETTUCE.

Reduced-Fat Turkey Bacon, Cholesterol-Free Egg, Reduced-Fat White Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich

Ingredients:
MULTIGRAIN ENGLISH MUFFIN (UNBLEACHED ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR [FLOUR, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, REDUCED IRON, NIACIN, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID], WATER, WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, FARINA, SOYBEAN OIL, YEAST, SUGAR, MOLASSES, FLAXSEEDS, HONEY, WHEAT GLUTEN, PRESERVATIVES [CALCIUM PROPIONATE, SORBIC ACID], SALT, RYE, CORN CEREAL, DEXTROSE, GROUND CORN, MONOGLYCERIDES, BROWN RICE, OATS, SOYBEANS, TRITICALE, BARLEY, MILLET, CALCIUM CARBONATE, NONFAT MILK, CARAMEL COLOR, SOY FLOUR, WHEY, NATAMYCIN [A NATURAL MOLD INHIBITOR]),CHOLESTEROL FREE EGG PATTY (EGG WHITES, WATER, WHEY SOLIDS, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, DICALCIUM PHOSPAHTE, SALT, NONFAT DRIED MILK, SODIUM BICARBONATE, NATURAL EGG FLAVOR, BUTTER FLAVOR [SUNFLOWER OIL, NATURAL FLAVORS, MEDIUM CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDES, PALM KERNEL OIL], COLOR (INCLUDES BETA CAROTENE), GUAR GUM, XANTHAN GUM, LIQUID PEPPER EXTRACT), REDUCED-FAT WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES, VITAMIN A PALMITATE), TURKEY BACON (WHITE TURKEY, MECHANICALLY SEPARATED TURKEY, TURKEY FAT, WATER, SUGAR, SALT, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS SMOKE BACON FLAVOR [MALTODEXTRIN, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVORYEAST EXTRACT (CONTAINS NATURAL SMOKE FLAVOR), SUGAR, SALT], BACON TYPE FLAVOR [MALTODEXTRIN, GUM, ACACIA, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORING, HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN, , MODIFIED CORN STARCH , XANTHAN GUM, SUCCINIC ACID], SMOKE FLAVORING, SODIUM ERYTHORBATE, SODIUM NITRITE, NATURAL FLAVORING, VEGETABLE OIL).

Portobello Mushroom Piadini

Ingredients:
CRUST (ENRICHED MALTED FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE, MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID], WHOLE MILK, [MILK, VITAMIN D], UNSALTED BUTTER [CREAM FROM MILK], PASTEURIZED HOMOGENIZED EGGS [WHOLE EGGS, CITRIC ACID (TO PRESERVE COLOR), WATER], CANOLA OIL, SUGAR, PARMESAN CHEESE [PASTEURIZED CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES, POWDERED CELLULOSE (TO PREVENT CAKING)], INSTANT YEAST [YEAST, SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE, ASCORBIC ACID], SALT, PARSLEY, SAGE) SPINACH FETA RICOTTA FILLING MIX (FETA CHEESE [PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, CHEESE CULTURE, ENZYMES, POTATO STARCH (TO PREVENT CAKING)], PART SKIM RICOTTA CHEESE [PASTEURIZED MILK, PASTEURIZED WHEY, PASTEURIZED CREAM, VINEGAR, SALT, STABILIZER (MODIFIED CORN STARCH, GUAR GUM, CARRAGEENAN), POTASSIUM SORBATE (AS A PRESERVATIVE)], SPINACH, GARLIC POWDER, SALT) PORTOBELLO FILLING MIX (PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS, ONION, UNSALTED BUTTER [CREAM FROM MILK], SALT, BLACK PEPPER) SCRAMBLED EGGS (WHOLE EGGS, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, SALT, CITRIC ACID, XANTHAN GUM).

*Note: The Portobello Mushroom Piadini contains the inflammatory additive Carrageenan. This is used as a thickener in many food, especially dairy products. Carrageenan is used in the laboratory to create inflammatory effect in the tissues of animals. Inflammation creates high levels of free radicals which can lead to an increased risk of cancer especially when combined with other harmful excitotoxins such as MSG (free glutamate) or Aspartame.

Pesto Pasta with White Chicken

Ingredients:
PESTO PASTA SALAD (WATER, CAMPANELLE PASTA [SEMOLINA (WHEAT), DURUM FLOUR (WHEAT), NIACIN, IRON (FERROUS SULFATE), THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID], LITE RANCH DRESSING [CULTURED BUTTERMILK, CANOLA OIL, SOUR CREAM (CULTURED MILK AND CREAM, WHEY, SKIM MILK POWDER, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, MALTODEXTRIN, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM CITRATE, GUAR GUM, CARRAGEENAN GUM, CALCIUM SULFATE, LOCUST BEAN GUM, ENZYMES), WATER, EGG YOLK, CIDER VINEGAR (CONTAINS SULFITES), DISTILLED VINEGAR, SUGAR, SALT, NATURAL FLAVOR, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, MALTODEXTRIN, DRIED GARLIC, DRIED ONION, XANTHAN GUM, CARRAGEENAN GUM, SPICE, DRIED GREEN ONION], LIGHT MAYONNAISE [WATER, SOYBEAN OIL, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH*, EGG YOLKS, VINEGAR, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF SALT, EGGS, MUSTARD FLOUR, WITH POTASSIUM SORBATE* AND CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA AS PRESERVATIVES, PHOSPHORIC ACID*, DL-ALPHA TOCOPHERYL ACETATE (VITAMIN E), OLEORESIN PAPRIKA, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, PHYLLOQUINONE (VITAMIN K1), *INGREDIENT NOT NORMALLY FOUND IN MAYONNAISE], BASIL PESTO [CANOLA OIL, BASIL, NON-GMO AND RBGH-FREE PARMESAN CHEESE (PASTEURIZED PART-SKIM COW'S MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT AND ENZYMES), FRESH GARLIC, WATER, RICE VINEGAR, SALT AND BLACK PEPPER], BASIL, SHREDDED PARMESAN CHEESE [PARMESAN CHEESE (PASTEURIZED PART-SKIM MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), POWDERED CELLULOSE (CELLULOSE, DEXTROSE, ENZYME) ADDED TO PREVENT CAKING], RICE WINE VINEGAR [REDUCED WITH WATER TO 4.5% ACIDITY BY VOLUME], PARSLEY, GARLIC, SALT), TOMATO, FULLY COOKED ITALIAN STYLE ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST STRIPS WITH RIB MEAT (BONELESS, SKINLESS CHICKEN BREASTS WITH RIB MEAT, WATER, SEASONING [ROMANO, BLUE AND PARMESAN CHEESES (PART SKIM COW'S MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), SALT, ISOLATED SOY PROTEIN, TAPIOCA STARCH, SUGAR, PAPRIKA, HYDROLYZED SOY AND CORN PROTEIN, GARLIC POWDER, ONION POWDER, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, SPICES, PARSLEY, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, MALTODEXTRIN, NATURAL FLAVORS, GUM ARABIC, LACTIC ACID, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, CREAM, WHEY POWDER, BUTTERFAT, SODIUM CASEINATE, GELATIN], SODIUM PHOSPHATES), LETTUCE, DRY ROASTED PINE NUTS (PIGNOLIAS).

Also see: Hidden Sources of MSG on Food Ingredient Labels

Also see my list of Hidden Sources of MSG

Veggie Brats Meatless Classic contains MSG

Veggie Brats Meatless Classic

Ingredients:
Water, Isolated Soy protein, Wheat Gluten, Expeller Pressed Canola Oil, Seasoning (Corn syrup solids, dextrose, salt, flavor, garlic powder, natural smoke flavor, spice), Textured wheat protein, Natural Flavors (contains yeast extract, sesame oil), Dextrose, Brown sugar, Vitamins & Minerals (Dipotassium Phosphate, Cyanocobalamin [Vitamin B12], Thiamine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B1], Calcium Pantothenate, Ferric Orthophosphate, Dimagnesium Phosphate, Zinc Oxide, Iron Oxide), Carrageenan, Modified Cellulose, Wheat Starch, Onion powder, Garlic Powder, Hydrolyzed Soy and Corn Protein, Caramel Color, Black pepper, Salt, Beet powder and paprika (for color).

There’s approximately 7-8 sources of MSG (free glutamate) alone in this meatless soy product.

Yves Meatless Hot Dogs contain MSG

Yves Meatless Hot Dog

Ingredients:
water, isolated soy protein, vital wheat gluten, natural flavors, salt, wheat starch, evaporated cane juice powder, spices, carrageenan, vitamins & minerals (thiamin hydrochloride, cyanocobalamin, calcium panthothenate, ferric orthophosphate, iron oxide, zinc oxide, dimagnesium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate), beet powder and paprika (for color).

Approximately 3-4 sources of MSG (free glutamate) in these hot dogs. See the note at the bottom regarding Carrageenan.

Yves Meatless Chicken Burger contains MSG

Yves Meatless Chicken Burger

Ingredients:
water, textured soy protein (TVP), vital wheat gluten, natural flavors (contain torula yeast and autolyzed yeast extract), expeller pressed canola oil, carrageenan, modified vegetable gum, salt, corn starch, onion powder, evaporated cane juice, lemon juice powder, garlic powder, spices, parsley flakes, vitamins & minerals: (thiamin hydrochloride, riboflavin, niacinamide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, cyanocobalamine, calcium pantothenate, reduced iron, zinc oxide), beta carotene (for color).
Approximately 4-5 sources of MSG (free glutamate).

Yves Meatless Deli Turkey contains MSG

Yves Meatless Deli Turkey Slices

Ingredients:
water, wheat gluten, natural flavors ( contains autolyzed yeast), isolated soy protein, wheat starch, expeller pressed canola oil, vitamins & minerals (dipotassium phosphate, dimagnesium phosphate, zinc oxide, ferric orthophosphate, calcium panthothenate, thiamin hydrochloride, cyanocobalamin), evaporated cane juice, extractive of paprika (for color), garlic powder, salt, spices, carrageenan, citric acid.

Approximately 3-4 sources of MSG (free glutamate). See the note at the bottom regarding Carrageenan.

While looking at the Yves website, I honestly can’t find ANY products that don’t have MSG! I’ve looked at about 80% of their products ingredient list and I can’t find anything that is free of MSG (free glutamate) in any capacity. Of course, when you’re using a product like soy which basically tastes like nothing after it’s stripped down in the disgusting processing phase, you have to add flavor back, or nobody would ever eat this stuff. MSG is almost always the first thing to add and lots of it. Soy isn’t even good for you folks. Just read some of Mike Adams articles over at NaturalNews. Dr. Russell Blaylock says that soy is NOT a health food but the health foods industry is marketing it extremely hard as just that, trying to sell you on it’s supposed health benefits. If you don’t eat meat that’s totally understandable, but don’t eat this stuff if you care at all about your health in regards to MSG and carageenan. It’s just all bad. I’ll be reviewing other meatless soy products too, I’m not just picking on Yves only. If you’re putting MSG in your products (especially if you label it as a natural products or No MSG) I’m coming after you!

Some information about Carrageenan

“Carrageenan increases free radicals. It is a polysaccharide made from a seaweed, the substance is known to produce intense inflammatory reactions when injected into tissues. In fact, the intense reaction is so reproducible it is used when researchers want to study inflammation. Inflammation is strongly associated with intense free-radical production within tissues. It also may promote accelerated bowel cancer growth.” Carrageenan is used as a thickener. When even small amounts of carrageenan are injected near developing tumors in animals, tumor growth, and eventual metastasis, increases dramatically¹.”
-Source: Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills by Russell Blaylock M.D.

1.) Raz A, Levine G, Khomiak Y. Acute local inflammation potentiates tumor growth in mice. Cancer Letters 148(2000): 115-120

Monosodium Glutamate "MSG"

Sources of MSG include: MSG, Monosodium Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Vegetable
Protein, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein, Plant Protein Extract, Sodium Caseinate, Calcium Caseinate,
Yeast Extract, Textured Protein, Autolyzed Protein, Autolyzed Yeast, and Hydrolyzed Oat Flour.

Additives frequently containing MSG: Malt extract, Malt Flavoring, Bouillon, Broth, Stock,
Flavoring, Natural Flavoring, Natural Beef or Chicken Flavoring, Seasoning and Spices.

Additives that may contain MSG or Excitotoxins: Carrageenan, Enzymes, Soy Protein Concentrate,
Soy Protein Isolate, and Protein Concentrate. Protease enzymes of various sources can release
excitotoxin amino acids from food proteins.

Foods to watch out for include: Soybean milk (naturally high in glutamate / often has hydrolyzed
vegetable protein added to it), kombu, miso, and soy sauces all contain MSG.

Reference:
Blaylock, R. (1997).Excitotoxins – The Taste That Kills, Albuquerque, NM: Health Press NA.