MSG, aspartame safe additives, says FDA, quoting int’l agencies

MANILA, Philippines—The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has assured the public that monosodium glutamate (MSG), more popularly known as “vetsin,” and aspartame or artificial sweeteners, are safe food additives.

In an advisory posted on its website, the FDA said the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) had approved the inclusion of MSG and aspartame in the Codex General Standards for Food Additives STAN 1992-1995.

The main task of the joint committee is to evaluate the safe use of food additives.

The codex is an international scientific body which counts the Philippines as a member.

Read labels

But while MSG and aspartame are being used globally, the FDA acknowledged that “generally, there are people who may be sensitive to some food substances.”

“If you are sensitive to MSG, read the food labels prior to buying them as all ingredients are required to be listed on the product label. The declaration of every ingredient in descending order of proportion on the product label is mandatory,” the FDA said.

MSG and aspartame are also included in the Philippine List of Permissible Food Additives under Bureau Circular 2006-016, it added.