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

The Secret Recipe is...MSG. Shhhh, don't tell anybody

I’m just going to comment on a couple of the regular staples of KFC.

Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Gravy: Food Starch-Modified, Maltodextrin, Enriched Wheat Flour (Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Chicken Fat, Wheat Flour, Salt, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Monosodium Glutamate, Dextrose, Palm And Canola Oils, Mono and Diglycerides, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Natural and Artificial Flavor (with Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Milk), Caramel Color (Treated With Sulfiting Agents), Onion Powder, Disodium Inosinate*, Disodium Guanylate*, Spice, Spice Extractives, With Not More Than 2% Silicon Dioxide Added As An Anti-caking.
Contains Wheat, Soy and Milk.

*Note: Disodium Inosinate and Disodium Guanylate are expensive flavor enhancers that are not MSG themselves but  act directly with MSG to further enhance it. So if you see these two ingredients lurking on your ingredient label, don’t eat it, it means there is MSG in it for sure. This tip is from Dr. Russell Blaylock’s books on Excitotoxins.

As you can see, in the ingredient list above we have at least 3 hard-core sources of monosodium glutamate on the label (MSG, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein and Hydrolyzed Corn Protein), as well as the peculiar “Spice and Spice Extractives” which hardly matter at this point.

Seasoned Rice
Long Grain Enriched Rice(Iron, Thiamine, and Folic Acid). Seasoned with: Dehydrated Vegetables (Carrots, Onion, Garlic, Parsley, Celery), Salt, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Maltodextrin, Monosodium Glutamate, Yeast Extract, Chicken Broth, Maltodextrin, Dextrose, Modified Food Starch, Sugar, Butter (Sweet Cream, Salt, Annatto Color), Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Cooked Chicken, Chicken Fat, Nonfat Milk Solids, Gelatin, Sodium Phosphate, Flavor, Lactose, Disodium Inosinate* & Disodium Guanylate*, Natural Flavor, Sodium Caseinate, Extractive of Turmeric, Spices (Including Turmeric), Lactic Acid, BHA, Propyl Gallate & Citric Acid Added To Protect Flavor, Dipotassium Phosphate, Disodium Phosphate.
Contains Milk and Soy.

I counted 6 ingredients including MSG in the Seasoned Rice. Wow, do we really need this much in rice? Speaking of which, Rice-A-Roni is a real baddie also. It the seasoning packet, the rice by itself is good, but taking away the seasoning packet from Rice-A-Roni makes it just plain fucking rice. What fun is that? It’s not.

I found these entries from NationMaster regarding KFC:

“According to the nutritional information provided on KFC’s own website, the ingredients for KFC Original Recipe Chicken are: Fresh chicken marinated with: salt, sodium phosphate and monosodium glutamate, and breaded with: wheat flour, sodium chloride and anti-caking agent (tricalcium phosphate), nonfat dry milk, dried egg whites and the Colonel’s Secret Original Recipe Seasoning.^[16]“

“In 1983, writer William Poundstone tackled the recipe in his book Big Secrets. He reviewed Sanders’ patent application, and advertised in college newspapers for present or former employees willing to share their knowledge.^[18] From the former he deduced that Sanders had diverged from other common fried-chicken recipes by varying the amount of oil used with the amount of chicken being cooked, and starting the cooking at a higher temperature (about 400°F, 200°C) for the first minute or so and then lowering it to 250°F (120°C) for the remainder of the cooking time. Several of Poundstone’s contacts also provided samples of the seasoning mix, and a food lab found that it consisted solely of sugar, flour, salt, black pepper and monosodium glutamate (MSG). He concluded that it was entirely possible that, in the years since Sanders sold the chain, later owners had begun skimping on the recipe to save costs.^[19] Sanders himself expressed anger at the changes made to the gravy, saying, “That friggin’ … outfit …. They prostituted every goddam thing I had. I had the greatest gravy in the world and those sons of bitches they dragged it out and extended it and wa­tered it down that I’m so goddamn mad.”^[20]“

And there you have it, MSG galore at KFC, but then again…you already knew that.

KFC Ingredients List

http://www.kfc.com/nutrition/pdf/kfc_ingredients.pdf

NationMaster Encylopedia
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/KFC