Is MSG safe during pregnancy?
FDA considers MSG generally recognized as safe. No pregnancy-specific concerns are noted in normal food amounts.
What the sources say
FDA classifies added MSG as GRAS. Glutamate occurs naturally in tomatoes, cheese and protein foods — adults get about 13 g a day from food protein vs about 0.55 g from added MSG. Some sensitive people report short-lived symptoms like headache or flushing after 3 g or more without food, far above a typical serving (<0.5 g). Ingredients like hydrolyzed vegetable protein and yeast extract contain free glutamate. No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific warnings appear in FDA's guidance.
Also listed as
monosodium glutamate, e621, glutamate, accent seasoning, ajinomoto, monopotassium glutamate, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, autolyzed yeast extract, yeast extract
Sources
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.