What is Monosodium glutamate (E621)?

What does it do?

Strengthens the food’s own taste, especially the savoury "umami" note.

Is it harmful? Risk context

There is limited evidence, or caution is warranted under specific conditions. Its presence alone does not mean "danger"; at ordinary amounts no problem is reported for most people. NeBu treats it as a moderate signal and presents it with the context below.

Transient symptoms reported in some individuals; causality debated. EFSA 2017 group ADI 30 mg/kg

Containing an additive is not the same as being harmed by the product. A hazard is a substance’s theoretical potential to cause harm; risk depends on the actual amount you are exposed to. Rather than stamping additives with fear-based labels, NeBu explains them with sourced information — and leaves the decision to you.

Safe daily intake (EFSA ADI)

Group-ADI 30 mg/kg body weight/day (EFSA 2017, as glutamic acid)

Sources

• EFSA — Food additives
• EFSA — Re-evaluation of glutamates (2017)
• Türk Gıda Kodeksi — Gıda Katkı Maddeleri Yönetmeliği (RG 13.10.2023)