Um, what's wrong with MSG? I don't add it, but I don't mind if it is there.

An awful lot if you're allergic. Here are some more signs, natural flavoring, vege flavorings, You can get a list from a dietician at your hospital.

"Um, what's wrong with MSG?"

Nothing really. Or nothing that has been established scientifically. Many foods we commonly eat contain natural glutamates (an amino acid) - most meats and seafood, milk, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, etc. - and we manufacture it in our bodies as well. The autolyzed yeast is another naturally occurring source.

Some people may develope a sensitivity (not an allergy) to MSG - which is just a combining of glutamates wth a salt - if comsumed in excess. But even this is yet to be firmly established by scientific and medical authorities as the source of these reactions: "Reported reactions to MSG, also known as "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome," can include headaches, flushing, weakness, anxiety, and nausea. However, the Food and Drug Administration hasn't been able to link these symptoms to MSG specifically.

In fact, studies performed to date haven't shown a clear cause-and-effect relationship between MSG and any symptoms, and most clinicians believe MSG-related symptoms affect a small number of people and are temporary."

It's a bit like the panic about eating GMO food products - many are sure they will be permanently impaired or set up for some bizzare disease by eating a GMO'd food when there is NO scientific evidence to support that it will affect anyone negatively. 99% is lack of knowledge, rumor and innuendo, supported by comments like the above......."evil MSG".

Yes, the alleged "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" has never been formally verified. Again, it's like H2O and CO2. Anything that is natural, but has a spooky acronym for a name, is considered highly inorganic and "evil".

The moral of this story is to read the ingredients before purchase. Curry powder shouldn't contain anything other than ground spices. No salt, no MSG, no nothing. And a curry powder dated 2015 is only fit for the bin anyway as pre ground spices lose flavour fast, even in a jar. If you are suspicious of commercial products it's easy to make your own or use whole spices.

To be honest, "curry" is a spice blend. I don't see why MSG can't be regarded as a spice. A spice is an aromatic vegetable compound, and MSG is made from vegetable proteins. It is sold as a spice. MSG isn't quite aromatic itself, but it accentuates the flavor of other spices. But the addition of salt to curry is a little annoying. Salt is just a cheap filler. It's a mineral, not a spice.

Really, MSG just has a marketing problem. Instead of "monosodium glutamate" or MSG, it ought to be sold as "Tastee", "Flavorite", or something catchy and not offensive to someone who is chem-skittish.

Unless the customer service rep is rude (and even then) there is no need to yell. Customer service reps don't make company policy. I buy plain turmeric and black pepper and add them to soup. I don't know if it really helps arthritis, but it's worth a try.

Jean - I get the impression that you assume most everyone else shares your "evil MSG" opinion. That isn't the case. I have no idea what you base your opinion on. Hopefully it isn't the same source you linked before that advocated turpentine as a cure-all. But as others have pointed out, it is just that - your personal opinion - with no basis in science or fact.

Mere personal opinion doesn't justify any sort of posted brand name critique much less some poor customer service rep abuse. If you don't like that brand of spices then just don't buy them. And if it is truly that important to you, from now on read the label before buying.

"soon will make my own from org spices I bought .. Like turmeric,all
spices, cardamon, etc recipes I found on the web.. for curry powder."

So you are assuming that anything you buy on the web that claims to be 'organic' actually is organic? Yeah, good luck with that.

Dave

MSG isn't an authentic ingredient in curry powder. I don't regard it as a spice since it is not simply a dried part of a plant but is produced by a chemical reaction. I have nothing against it per se but it has no business in a curry powder. You could call it a curry flavoured seasoning mix but not curry powder. And there's nothing easier than just using whole spices and skipping the powder altogether. Then you'd know exactly what you're getting.

I believe Jean meant she got the recipes from the web, not the spices. Organic spices should be available in any supermarket.

No question that MSG isn't an "authentic ingredient" in curry powder. But commercial curry mixes often include it, and they include it for the simple reason that it is a seasoning that, to many, makes it taste better. It sells. When the Indus Valley civilization came up with curry powder a few thousand years ago, they didn't have MSG! Betcha if they did, it would have been an authentic ingredient. Buying powder is really easier than mixing your own with whole spices, and if you read the label, you know exactly what you're getting.

y'all never convince me that it is not harmful.I listen to health radio programs everyday and do a lot of reading. but to each their own.. just like I avoid GMOs , SEvin< other herbcides s and pesticides. at least with what gardening I do.

USUALLY. I read every label.... that one got by me yrs ago. Must have been in a hurry. As to throwing out outdated items cause of date. no way till I check them. spices that is. That curry powder tasted as strong as newer ones. Im glad I thought to glance at the label. I was wondering why my food tasted so salty. I usually would throw such stuff in the woods. but not that... I made sure to bag it up and into the garbage...Cause too I take rotted wood etc from the woods some to use I. my gardening. composted leaves. too.

Oh and as to turpentine. unless you listen to DR D. many many podcasts and read lots. and have an open mind. Cause I have met people in this rural area remember such old time treatments. we are what we eat. But I haven't tried it yet as Im haven't given up sugar yet.. my bad

oh and when I run out of the organic curry powder I have ill make my own,, like I do other things

Blessings to al

Strange. I've never seen a curry powder on sale over here which includes MSG. In fact I doubt it would be allowed to sell it as curry powder under the trade descriptions act. You'd have to call it curry flavouring or something. And the addition of MSG would introduce a different flavour. I have 2 curry powders and two curry pastes in my cupboards at present and none contains MSG. If I don't use a bought powder I use separate spices. Quick bash with the side of the knife and straight into the pan to dry fry.

Floral, I believe the UK has a more honest approach to Indian ingredients, since they are much more a part of everyday life thanks to history of the subcontinent. Here in Texas, barbeque means one thing, and one thing only, and strange impersonations of it in New Jersey are laughed at, though not illegal.

Curry powder is really a European (British) invention. One derivation of the word itself is from medieval English 'cury', meaning to cook. 'Curry' or curry powder as such did not exist in India but they did use a similar spice mix combination - garam masala. Garam masala just omits any chilis or peppers that gives curry powder its heat. This was a feature favored by the early explorers and European colonists, probably to disguise the taste of less than fresh meat. Curry, as westerners know it, is not found in India and is not served in traditional Indian restaurants.....about as close as you would get with authentic Indian cuisine is korma

And just like there is no single style of BBQ (sorry, Dan), there is no single recipe for garam masala (or curry powder for that matter). Individual areas or regions have their own combination of spices that are unique to them, just as various areas of the US have their own BBQ methodology.

But I doubt you will find recipes for either garam masala or curry powder in any form that include MSG.

Here in Texas, barbeque means one thing, and one thing only, and strange impersonations of it in New Jersey are laughed at, though not illegal.

Texans need to branch out a bit from brisket and beef ribs! There's not many meats that aren't BBQed here in Kansas City - the barbecue capital of the world.

LJ, the first real BBQ I ever had was at Arthur Bryant's :-) I feel I was inaugurated to the best right off the bat!!

btw, although as far away from Texas as we are, there are some pretty darn good BBQ outlets in the Seattle area! In fact, I had my most recent birthday (October) celebrated in a local BBQ joint, Jack's, which is in the Central Texas style - we had ribs, brisket, chicken, pulled pork and sausages. And white bread and pickles along with cole slaw, beans and mac and cheese.

My local grocery has a BBQ pit and they sell freshly BBQ'd ribs, brisket, pulled pork and chicken daily!!

wow did I open a can of worms or is it beans. lol. yeah. I downloaded sev curry powder recipes each a little different. But will not make my own mixture and put it in an empty glass bottle till the 2 latest containers I have bought are empty. I noted on several different brand each has a difference wether its Frontier, or Simply Organic or Badia. , or the Wally World BRAND, ETC

oh and Blessings and thanks to my fellow brother and sisters and knowledgeable gardeners. what a boring 1984 world it would be if we all thought and looked alike

Thank you gardengal, that is exactly right about the origin of "curry powder". It was inspired by ancient Indian food, but it is an English invention. Now, in Texas, there IS a single style of barbeque, but we acknowledge that others pretend to do it. I have heard good things about Jack's. If you get down to Portland, check out Podnah's. I was there with a few fellow Texans (though I am just a transplant), and it was pronounced the "real deal".

As to MSG in curry powder, I have to assume that the reason why no recipes for curry powder include it is because people who used it in their recipes died an ugly death from MSG ingestion, if one believes the fear of it by the OP. Those recipes did not survive them.

LOL Dan, I guess that's why the World Series of BBQ is in Kansas City. Bazinga :-P!!!

I guess it's also why the Grand National BBQ Championship is in, er, Washington DC.

That's worse than New Jersey!!! Well almost.