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Contact: Aurora Hodgson, 956-6564	Air Date: May 7, 1998

MSG Not Harmful   Many people have concerns about monosodium glutamate, or MSG, a regular ingredient in ethnic dishes in Hawaii. But, a University of Hawaii specialist in food technology says the flavor enhancer is not a health hazard. Food Science and Human Nutrition Professor Aurora Hodgson, says MSG is no different than glutamates that occur naturally in many foods such as tomatoes, mushrooms and corn. Glutamate is naturally present in many human organs and tissues. The FDA reports that most Americans ingest about one half gram of MSG each day, that's 20-40 times less than the amount of naturally occurring glutamate in our daily diets. Hodgson says recent evidence exists that large amounts of MSG may cause brief, non-life threatening responses in a small group of people. However, people who believe they're sensitive to the additive should consult their physician to make sure MSG is really the problem. This is the University Report, I'm Tracy Orillo Donovan.

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