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

They all serve MSG laced foods!

-~- What is MSG? -~-

In basic terms, MSG (and other, similar agents) pierces the blood-brain barrier and over-stimulates the neurons of a brain to a deadly degree. Habitual intake among animal experiments has shown the development of tumors, memory loss, and a whole host of neurodegenerative diseases as the end result of excess excitotoxin intake, including Alzhiemer’s, Parkenson’s, Lou Gerhig’s etc.

Walk into any gas station in the United States (or grocery store, for that matter) and, upon close investigation, you will find that 75%-90% of the available food has been ‘enhanced’ to some degree by excitotoxins. The chemical agents are often disguised by such ambiguous terms as ‘spice’ and ‘natural flavors’ or, my personal favorite, ‘hydrolyzed vegetable protein.’ A consumer society must have consumer slaves to keep it functioning; MSG is the crack cocaine of the food industry…and it is legally perpetuated by slush-fund advocates and a pork-glutted FDA. As proven again and again, money talks, … [you can finish the maxim for me].

-Excerpt from ‘Excitotoxins – The Taste That Kills’ By Dr. Russell L Blaylock, MD
(A board certified neurosurgeon with over 25 years experience in neurosurgery in addition to having a nutritional practice.)

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.