Many years ago before educating myself on healthy eating I would devour almost an entire bag of chips like these,  as most typical Americans can probably identify with. Cheetos comes in many flavors and even in “natural” and “baked” versions which would give you the impression that they are somewhat more healthier, but as you will soon learn, it’s all marketing hype.

Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Ingredients with free Glutamate (MSG):

• Monosodium Glutamate, Autolyzed yeast extract, Hydrolyzed soy protein, Sodium caseinate

Natural Cheetos White Cheddar Puffs Ingredients with free Glutamate (MSG):

• Torula yeast*, Maltodextrin

Baked Cheetos Ingredients with free Glutamate (MSG):

• Monosodium Glutamate, Maltodextrin, Whey Protein Concentrate

Cheetos Crunchy Cheese Flavor Ingredients with free Glutamate (MSG):

• Monosodium Glutamate, Maltodextrin, Whey

*Torula Yeast contains free glutamate (MSG), it’s in the same family as Autolyzed Yeast Extract. It just sounds more “natural” and makes the label look clean. For those trying to avoid MSG they will think this product is okay, but it’s deceptive. Why would they hide it on the label if there wasn’t anything wrong with it? To Fool you! Don’t be fooled. Research and read this website to educate yourself. Also check out “Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills” by Russell Blaylock M.D.

I used to eat Doritos when I was younger, crazy good flavors and addicting as hell. After growing up a bit and educating myself on the dangers of MSG (monosodium glutamate), now I know why they are so damn addicting. Virtually all flavored Doritos contain MSG (no, it’s not just in Chinese food, contrary to popular belief). MSG is also linked to obesity in laboratory rodents. All one needs to do is turn your products over and read the ingredients list. Today many food items contain various forms of MSG hidden in other “harmless sounding” ingredients such as Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Autolyzed Yeast Extract or Sodium Caseinate. Please see our more complete list of hidden sources of MSG.

EXTREME MSG Dude!! Can you handle the dangerously bold brain neuron death?

List of Doritos Flavors that contain MSG:

• DORITOS® Blazin’ Buffalo & Ranch Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® COLLISIONS® Hot Wings and Blue Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® COLLISIONS® Pizza Cravers and Ranch Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® COLLISIONS® Zesty Taco and Chipotle Ranch Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® COOL RANCH® Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® Diablo Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® Last Call Jalapeno Popper Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® NACHO CHEESE® Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® Reduced Fat COOL RANCH® Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® Reduced Fat NACHO CHEESE® Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® Salsa Verde Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® Spicy Nacho Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® Spicy Sweet Chili Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® Taco Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® Tacos at Midnight Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® Toro Habanero Flavored Tortilla Chips

• BAKED! DORITOS® NACHO CHEESE® Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® NACHO CHEESE® 100 Calorie Mini Bites Flavored Tortilla Chips

• DORITOS® NACHO CHEESE® Flavored Tortilla Chips 6 Count Singles

• DORITOS® NACHO CHEESE® Flavored Tortilla Chips 12 Count Singles

List of Doritos Chips that do not contain MSG:

• DORITOS® Toasted Corn Tortilla Chips

As you can see, I only found one Doritos Chips products without MSG, those are the plain ol’ regular corn chips. Which is about the only way you can avoid MSG if you want to eat chips. In virtually 99% of flavored chips, there is MSG, even in the organic and “natural” products. Some will contain Torula Yeast or Yeast Extract, which sounds very natural and harmless, but if you do your research you will know that Tah-Dah! There is MSG in those ingredients as well. If you want to enjoy some chips nowdays, you are usually safer to eat unflavored chips, be it corn, potato, flax seed etc. A tip: buy the unflavored chips and add your own seasonings that you Know does not have MSG, like cayanne pepper, chili powder, garlic, hot sauce or dip them in a mixture of basamic vinegar and olive oil.

Almost all of the flavors that contain MSG are in the form of straight up “Monosodium Glutamate”, however there is one flavor that I saw that did not contain Monosodium glutamate persay, but does contain MSG in the form of Sodium Caseinate, that is the Last Call Jalapeno Popper Flavored Tortilla Chips. Yes, this contains MSG as well, it’s just in a different form. If you care about the dangerous health effects of MSG you may want to avoid eating these products that contain it. As always: Read the Ingredient Label!

The following Burger King menu items contain Monosodium Glutamate (MSG):

• BREADED ORIGINAL CHICKEN PATTY (Fried): Monosodium Glutamate in the patty and ALSO breaded with Monosodium Glutamate

• SPICY CHICK’N CRISP™ PATTY (Fried)

• Breaded TENDERCRISP® Chicken Filet (Fried Whole Muscle Breast)

• BK®CHICKEN FRIES (Fried)

• Crown Shaped CHICKEN TENDERS® (Fried)

• SAUSAGE (Fried)

• Sausage Gravy

The following Burger King menu items contain Autolyzed Yeast Extract:

• TENDERGRILL® CHICKEN FILET (grilled): Autolyzed Yeast Extract in the meat filet and ALSO glazed with Autolyzed Yeast Extract

• GARLIC PARMESAN CROUTONS – SALAD TOPPINGS Autolyzed Yeast extract

• LOADED POTATO Topping (for Steakhouse Burger)

• SMOKY CHEESE SAUCE

The King of MSG!

The following Burger King menu items contain MSG in the form of Sodium Caseinate:

• BISCUIT – Contains MSG (free glutamate) in the form of: Sodium Caseinate

• CROISSANT – Contains MSG (free glutamate) in the form of: Sodium Caseinate

The following Burger King menu items contain mulitple forms of MSG (free glutamate) in various forms:

BK VEGGIE® BURGER PATTY: Supplied by MORNINGSTAR FARMS® – Contains MSG (free glutamate) in the form of: Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), Calcium Caseinate, Hydrolyzed Corn, Soy, and Wheat Protein, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Natural Flavors

Also see our list of Hidden Sources of MSG on Food Labels.

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

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.

Swanson Natural Goodness Chicken Broth contains MSG in the form of Autolyzed Yeast Extract

Swanson Natural Goodness Chicken Broth

Swanson puts on an image of being natural and healthy but all you need is to glance at their ingredient label for 2 seconds to see that it is all lip service. Autolyzed Yeast Extract is a big, big baddie. Autolyzed Yeast Extract means MSG (free glutamate). Swanson also has an “Organic” version of their chicken broth, and yup, you guessed it, there is MSG in it. They can get away with the “No MSG” labeling because technically there is no “monosodium glutamate” added to it. Monosodium Glutamate is a food additive. But you don’t need to add straight monosodium glutamate to a product to get glutamate into your product. There are ways to process foods that already contain glutamate and brake the amino acids (glutamate) from its protein binding. Once the amino acids are broken free from the proteins natural peptide bind the acids are now free, to make your food taste “better”, and free to wreck havock on your bodys glutamate receptors, especially your neurological system (your brain). For more about Yeast Extract read our article on Campbells Soup and their new deceptive marketing campaign.

Swanson Natural Goodness Chicken Stock Ingredients:
Chicken Stock, Contains Less Than 2% of: Salt, Flavoring, Dextrose, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Celery Juice Concentrate, Carrot Juice Concentrate, Onion Juice Concentrate.

Rachael Ray Stock-In-A-Box contains MSG

Rachael Ray’s Chicken and Beef Stock-In-A-Box

I don’t have the box in front of me so I don’t know if they make any claims of No MSG.As you can see, both flavors of stock contains “Yeast Extract”. If you don’t know what yeast extract is, you can read more here. Yes, yeast extract means MSG (free glutamate).

Beef Stock Ingredients:
Concentrated beef  stock (contains: beef stock, sea salt, yeast extract), vegetable stock (carrot, celery, onion, leek, natural flavor).

Chicken Stock Ingredients:
Chicken stock, sea salt, natural chicken flavor, yeast extract, chicken fat, garlic powder, vegetable stock (carrot, celery, onion), bay, thyme, marjoram, carrot powder.

Walmart Chicken & Beef Broth contain MSG (free glutamate) in the form of Yeast Extract

Walmart Great Value Chicken Broth

Contains yeast extract which contains MSG (free glutamate).

Ingredients:
Chicken Broth from Concentrate, Yeast Extract, Salt, Natural Flavor.

Also see our list of Hidden Sources of MSG on Food Ingredient Labels.

Annie's Peace Pasta & Parmesan contains MSG in the form of Yeast Extract

Annie’s Organic Peace Pasta & Parmesan

Annie’s Organic Peace Pasta & Parmesan contains yeast extract which is processed specifically to produce free glutamic acid (MSG) from yeast. This is the only Annie’s Macaroni & Cheese product that contains yeast extract that I’m aware of. I bought this product without even looking at the ingredients (which is not like me at all). I frequently buy Annie’s Mac & Cheese products because I know they are pretty safe in regards to MSG. This one slipped past me though. It makes me wonder why Annie’s felt the need to add this form of MSG to this product, they typically appear to be really good about this sort of thing. I wouldn’t recommend this specific Annie’s product however.

Ingredients: ORGANIC SEMOLINA PASTA FROM DURUM WHEAT, ORGANIC PARMESAN CHEESE (ORGANIC CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, NON-ANIMAL ENZYMES), ORGANIC WHEY, ORGANIC CHEDDAR CHEESE (ORGANIC CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, NON-ANIMAL ENZYMES), SALT, ORGANIC CORN STARCH, ORGANIC CREAM, ORGANIC GARLIC, NATURAL SODIUM PHOSPHATE, ORGANIC ONION, YEAST EXTRACT, ORGANIC WHITE PEPPER.

Eden Organics Black Beans contain MSG in the form of Kombu "sea tangle"

Eden organics would have you believe that you are eating something organic, healthy and wholesome. But if you know anything at all about MSG (free glutamate) you’d know that simply is not true just by reading their label.

Eden Organics Black Beans

Ingredients
Organic Black Turtle Beans, Water, Kombu Seawood.

“EDEN Organic Black Beans are expertly prepared at our certified organic, circle k kosher cannery in east central Indiana. Beans are washed, soaked overnight and thoroughly cooked with water and a bit of kombu sea vegetable. You don’t taste the kombu, but its natural glutamic acid softens and enhances the flavor of beans. All water that contacts EDEN beans, for washing, soaking, and cooking, is purified water.”

It appears that Eden Organics entire line of canned beans contain MSG in the form of Kombu seaweed. If you buy canned beans the only thing you should see on the ingredient label is: “Beans, water and salt (optional). If there is anything else listed, you don’t need it. If you’re making soup or your own homemade chili with it you can add your own spices so you know without a doubt the content of the food you’re eating.

Remember organic MSG/free glutamic acid is still MSG/free glutamic acid, just as organic rat poison is still rat Poison. It doesn’t matter what you call it, it is what it is.

EdenSoy Organic Soymilk contains MSG in the form of Kombu Seaweed

EdenSoy Original Organics Soymilk

Ingredients:
Purified Water, Organic Soybeans, Naturally Malted Organic Wheat and Barley Extract, Calcium Carbonate, Kombu Seaweed , Sea Salt

Not only does this contain MSG in the form of Kombu Seaweed (sea tangle), but soy is naturally high in glutamate. During processing of soy beans the glutamic acid is released from it’s protein creating free glutamic acid (MSG). Russell Blaylock M.D. states this in his book Excitotoxins. Kombu has been used for centuries in asian cooking to add flavor to their cooking, however, just because it has been used for a long time throughout history doesn’t make it healthy. If this were true we could continue painting our houses with lead-based paint and eat the nutritious paint chips that flake off. Of course, we’ve learned over the years that lead-based paint is not a very good choice for the general publics health. We live and we learn.

I’ve been told that cyanide has a wonderful nutty flavor, that’s natural and could be considered organic, however, just because it tastes good doesn’t mean we should eat.

Eden Organics Wasabi Chips contain MSG (free glutamate)

Wasabi Chips, Hot N Spicy

Ingredients:
Potato Starch, Organic Tamari Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Sea Salt, Grain Alcohol, Koji), Rice Bran Oil, Carrot, Cabbage, Spinach, Bell Pepper, Wasabi (Japanese Horseradish), Parsley, Lettuce, Sea Salt, Potato Syrup (Potato Starch, Barley Malt)

Yes, soy sauce contains MSG, in fact it’s very high in free glutamate. It doesn’t matter if it’s listed at monosodium glutamate, soy sauce, hydrolyzed vegetable protein or yeast extract, they all contain MSG (free glutamate). Period.

Always read the labels to know what you’re buying before you put in in your cart, or in your mouth.

These ALWAYS contain MSG:

• Glutamate
• Glutamic Acid
• Monosodium Glutamate
• Monopotassium Glutamate
• Yeast Extract
• Yeast Food
• Yeast Nutrient
  
• Autolyzed Yeast
• Autolyzed Yeast Extract
• Torula Yeast
  
• Autolyzed Soy Protein (any protein that is autolyzed)
  
• Hydrolyzed Protein (any protein that is hydrolyzed)
• Hydrolyzed Whey Protein
• Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
  
• Hydrolyzed Corn Protein
  
• Hydrolyzed Corn Gluten
  
• Calcium Caseinate
• Sodium Caseinate
• Textured Protein
• Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP)
• Natrium Glutamate (natrium is Latin/German for sodium)
• Gelatin
  

These OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing:

• Carageenan
• Malt Extract
• Malt Flavoring
• Barley Malt
  
• Maltodextrin
• Citric Acid¹
• Soy Protein Isolate
• Soy Sauce
• Soy Sauce Extract
• Soy Protein
• Soy Protein Concentrate
• Bouillon
• Broth
• Stock
• Spices* (may contain between 30% to 60% MSG)
• Natural Beef Flavoring
• Natural Chicken Flavoring
• Natural Pork Flavoring
• Ultra-Pasteurized
• Whey Protein
  
• Whey Protein Isolate
• Whey Protein Concentrate
• Protein Fortified Anything
• Flavor(s) & Flavoring(s)* (may contain between 30% to 60% MSG)
  
• Natural Flavor(s) & Flavoring(s)* (may contain between 30% to 60% MSG)
• Pectin
• Protease
• Protease Enzymes
• Enzymes Anything
  
• Anything Enzyme Modified
• Anything Protein Fortified
• Anything Fermented
• Seasonings (the word “seasonings”)
• Fish Sauce²
  
• Fish Sauce Extract

1.)  Most of the “citric acid” used today is made from corn rather than from citrus fruits. “Citric acid” is produced by fermentation of crude sugars. When “citric acid” is produced from corn, manufacturers do not take the time or undertake the expense to remove all corn protein. During processing, the remaining protein is hydrolyzed, resulting in some processed free glutamic acid (MSG). “Citric acid” also interacts with any protein in the food to which it is added, freeing up more glutamic acid.

2.)  Some fish sauce manufacturers use cheaper techniques to cut the fermentation times very short and these techniques typically utilize MSG. Fish sauce typically takes 1 year to ferment properly and create a good quality sauce. This time is cut extremely short by some manufacturers that choose not to ferment the fish this long and instead add MSG to make up for poorer quality fish sauce.

Note: Soybean milk naturally contains a high content of glutamate. Kombu, miso, and soy sauce all contain MSG.

Boy, these guys really weren’t kidding…

Just take a quick gander at this ingredient list:

Ingredients: Made from water, monterey jack cheese (milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), peppers, tomatoes, modified corn starch, onions, soybean oil, sodium citrate, salt sodium hexameta phosphate, non-fat milk, xanthum gum, monosodium glutamate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, artificial color, potassium sorbate citric acid and natural flavoring.

Did you happen to notice the “FEEL ALIVE!” on the label? I bet you’ll feel alive after eating this excitotoxic slop. I personally love cheese dip but I can’t for the life of me find a cheese dip or nacho cheese dip without some form of MSG in it.