MSG is a common savory flavor enhancer. It is found naturally in tomatoes and cheese. It is recognized as safe by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is not banned anywhere in Europe. KFC has been open about its use of MSG for several years.
KFC fried chicken
Very few people know what all 11 herbs and spices are, but MSG is definitely one of them. Not only is there MSG in all the different varieties of KFC fried (and grilled) chicken, it's also in the gravy, chicken pot pies, potato wedges, and even the green beans.
KFC's new fries are coated with a blend that includes onion, celery, and carrot powder. It's easy to find onion powder in most supermarkets, but I had to go online to find celery and carrot juice powders.
Chicken salt does not contain gluten. It does contain Monosodium glutamate (flavour enhancer 621) but there is no gluten in MSG and so can be eaten by people with coeliac disease.
It also has an equally familiar-sounding ingredient: monosodium glutamate, or MSG. McDonald's doesn't currently use MSG in the other items that compose its regular, nationally available menu—but both Chick-fil-A and Popeyes list it as an ingredient in their own chicken sandwiches and chicken filets.
MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. Glutamic acid is an amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein. It is found in virtually all food and, in abundance, in food that is high in protein, including meat, poultry, cheeses, and fish.
Online forums are full of fans wanting to get their hands on the KFC salt mix and being advised that the only way to do it is to have a mate who works there steal some for you. It turns out that this salt mix is also unique to Australia, with the American KFCs using plain salt.
The main ingredients for the coating, according to this recipe, are paprika (4 tablespoons), white pepper (3 tablespoons) and garlic salt (2 tablespoons). But Ledington says one ingredient is the real star. "The main ingredient is white pepper," he says.
A closer look at the packet shows the main ingredient in the famous seasoning is Monosodium Glutamate - also known as MSG - followed by “Herbs and Spices, Salt and Garlic Powder”.
Some of our food does contain MSG but rest assured, it's only present at levels that are safe for the general population as deemed by New Zealand Food Standards. It's a recognised flavour enhancer that also occurs naturally in foods such as meat, fish, milk, vegetables, fruits and cheese.
How can I know if there is MSG in my food? FDA requires that foods containing added MSG list it in the ingredient panel on the packaging as monosodium glutamate.
McDonald's doesn't use MSG in its food that is on the national menu, and there are no updates from the company yet on whether the Crispy Chicken Sandwiches will be added to the menu permanently. McDonald's has been making strides to use purer ingredients in its food.
In the gravy, you've got enriched wheat flour, modified food starch, maltodextrin, chicken fat, palm and canola oils, salt, MSG, dextrose, more mono- and diglycerides, hydrolyzed soy protein, caramel color (which contains sulfites), hydrolyzed corn protein, onion powder, natural flavors, disodium inosinate, disodium ...
The addition of MSG in foods is “generally recognized as safe,” says the FDA site. MSG is found in Chinese cuisine -- but also in tomatoes, cheese, canned soup, and a range of foods.
The dishes of KFC are mostly deep-fried and are made using tons of oil. So, the regular consumption of KFC can make you gain weight. Therefore, continuous consumption of fast food, chicken, and meat that too with excess oil can lead to heart and fat-related issues.
Humans like emulsifications because all the salt or sugar gets concentrated in the water part, making for an extra flavorful rush when it hits your mouth. While traditional fried chicken takes a few seconds to activate your taste buds, KFC's moist skin gives an immediate surge of salt and MSG.
KFC swears by high-temperature, industrial-strength pressure fryers for their extra-crispy skin. While you won't be able to deep fry with your at-home pressure cooker, you can still recreate the KFC crunch with a deep fryer, a Dutch oven, or a heavy-bottomed pot.
The company, which used to add 2.1g of salt to each portion of fries, said that following trials over the past two months, it had now taken the decision to stop adding salt to fries. A spokesman said: "It is up to consumers to choose whether they add salt to their fries.
“KFC offers a few vegetable side dishes that can be added to your meal, but many of its options do not contain veggies or much fiber. The sodium levels are also high for many meal options.
KFC chicken in Australia is halal-certified by the ANIC, meaning that it is prepared according to Islamic guidelines for slaughter and preparation. However, not all KFC restaurants in Australia are halal-certified, so it's important to do your research and ensure that you are eating at a halal-certified location.
The effects of monosodium glutamate in the body are the same as naturally occurring glutamate. Glutamate plays an important role in digestion by increasing salivation, signaling that a meal contains protein and fueling the cells of the GI tract.
Myth: MSG is high in salt, or sodium
Unlike regular table salt, which is 40% sodium, MSG contains only 12% sodium, which is one-third the amount in table salt. Researchers have also explored MSG as a viable alternative to salt to reduce sodium intake and improve public health through a reduced risk of hypertension.
MSG-induced symptoms are typically not severe and subside on their own entirely within 72 hours. 1 However, if you have mild symptoms do not appear to resolve or continue worsening after 48 hours, speak to your healthcare provider, as it may be something more serious.