{"id":274,"date":"2019-06-02T16:31:20","date_gmt":"2019-06-02T16:31:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.truthinlabeling.org\/blog\/?p=274"},"modified":"2019-06-02T16:31:28","modified_gmt":"2019-06-02T16:31:28","slug":"giving-credit-where-credit-is-due-writers-engaged-in-spreading-the-glutes-propaganda-and-the-outlets-that-enable-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/truthinlabeling.org\/blog\/2019\/06\/02\/giving-credit-where-credit-is-due-writers-engaged-in-spreading-the-glutes-propaganda-and-the-outlets-that-enable-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Giving credit where credit is due: Writers engaged in spreading the Glutes\u2019 propaganda and the outlets that enable them"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The fiction that monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a harmless food additive has several key components:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Rigged studies and bold-faced lies.<\/li><li>A vigorous PR effort (currently being conducted by Daniel J. Edelman Public Relations).<\/li><li>Paid media, in the form of \u201csponsored\u201d content (that you may not realize is bought and paid for). <\/li><li>\u201cEarned\u201d media \u2013 meaning legitimate journalists with access to top-tier outlets (think<em> Wall Street Journa<\/em>l) who have been enlisted to write up articles that look and sound like real news, but are simply industry\u2019s messaging done in the \u201cvoice\u201d of the publication. This method also works with celebrities (especially chefs), bloggers and anyone else who has a big social media following.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And if you think that the flood of glutamate-industry propaganda has been torrential lately, you\u2019re absolutely right. Ajinomoto, the world\u2019s largest manufacturer of monosodium glutamate, is in the middle of a 10-million-dollar PR blitz (according to Ajinomoto), to \u201cpersuade Americans that MSG is safe\u2014and maybe even good for you\u2026\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We can\u2019t always say for sure who is responsible for spreading the Glutes\u2019 words so far and wide, but it seems only appropriate to share the names of some of the authors and outlets that enable them. For more about glutamate-industry propaganda, look <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"here (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/truthinlabeling.org\/blog\/2019\/05\/28\/the-contrived-controversy-over-msg-safety\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/truthinlabeling.org\/blog\/2019\/05\/01\/propaganda-101-the-8-ingredients-in-cutting-edge-propaganda\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"here (opens in a new tab)\">here<\/a>.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rachael Ray Every Day, May, 2019<\/strong><br> \u201cSurprise: MSG Has Been Completely Safe to Eat All This Time\u201d       <br> Author: <strong>Hillary Maglin<\/strong> <br> https:\/\/www.rachaelraymag.com\/whats-new\/why-msg-is-safe-to-eat <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BBC future, May, 2019<\/strong><br> \u201cThe man who discovered umami\u201d<br> Author: <strong>Veronique Greenwood<\/strong><br> http:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future\/story\/20190503-the-mystery-taste-that-always-eluded-us<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BBC Future, November, 2015 <\/strong><br> Is MSG as bad as it&#8217;s made out to be? <br> Author:  <strong>Bianca Nogrady <\/strong><br> www.bbc.com\/future\/story\/20151106-is-msg-as-bad-as-its-made-out-to-be\\<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>The Wall Street Journal<\/em>, April, 2019<\/strong><br>\u201cThe FDA Says It\u2019s Safe, So Feel Free to Say \u2018Yes\u2019 to MSG\u201d <br>Author: <strong>River Davis<\/strong><br> https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/rescuing-msgs-unsavory-reputation-11556337610<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>WebMD, February, 2019<\/strong><br> \u201cIs MSG really so bad?\u201d <br> Author: <strong>Sally Kuzemchak, MS, RD<\/strong><br> https:\/\/blogs.webmd.com\/food-fitness\/20190219\/is-msg-really-so-bad<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Lifehacker Skillet, January, 2019<\/strong><br> \u201cPut MSG in everything, you cowards\u201d<br> Author: <strong>Claire Lower<\/strong><br> https:\/\/skillet.lifehacker.com\/put-msg-in-everything-you-cowards-1831721707<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Men\u2019s Health<\/em>, January, 2019<\/strong><br> \u201cIs MSG Bad for You? No \u2013 and Here\u2019s Why\u201d<br> Author: <strong>Chris Mohr, Ph.D, RD<\/strong><br> https:\/\/www.menshealth.com\/nutrition\/a26006305\/msg-not-bad-for-you\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>fivethirtyeight, January, 2016<\/strong><br> How MSG Got A Bad Rap: Flawed Science And Xenophobia<br> Author: <strong>Anna Maria Barry-Jester <\/strong><br> https:\/\/fivethirtyeight.com\/features\/how-msg-got-a-bad-rap-flawed-science-and-xenophobia\/ <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Decoding Delicious, March, 2013<\/strong><br> What is MSG, and is it safe to eat? &#8211; <br> Author: <strong>Amanda Green<\/strong><br> www.decodingdelicious.com\/what-is-msg\/ <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Lifehacker, December, 2018<\/strong><br> \u201cStop being afraid of MSG\u201d<br> Author: <strong>Beth Skwarecki<\/strong><br> https:\/\/vitals.lifehacker.com\/stop-being-afraid-of-msg-1831011967<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Esquire<\/em>, October, 2018<\/strong><br> \u201cIt\u2019s time for America to fall back in love with MSG\u201d<br> Author: <strong>Joanna Rothkopf<\/strong><br> https:\/\/www.esquire.com\/food-drink\/food\/a23566452\/its-time-for-america-to-fall-back-in-love-with-msg\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>The Seattle Times<\/em>, October, 2018<\/strong><br> \u201cAvoiding MSG? Look beyond the myths\u201d<br> Author: <strong>Carrie Dennett<\/strong><br> https:\/\/www.seattletimes.com\/life\/wellness\/avoiding-msg-look-beyond-the-myths\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Berkeley Wellness, October, 2018<\/strong><br> \u201cIs MSG Safe?\u201d<br> Author: <strong>Keng Lam MD <\/strong><br> https:\/\/www.berkeleywellness.com\/healthy-eating\/food-safety\/article\/msg-safe<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>US News &amp; World Report<\/em>, October, 2018<\/strong><br> \u201cScientists Have Known MSG is Safe for Decades. Why Don\u2019t Most Americans?\u201d<br> Author: <strong>Toby Amidor <\/strong>         <br> https:\/\/health.usnews.com\/health-news\/blogs\/eat-run\/articles\/2018-10-10\/scientists-have-known-msg-is-safe-for-decades-why-dont-most-americans<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Business Insider<\/em>, August, 2014<\/strong><br> Is MSG Sodium In Chinese Food Safe To Eat? <br> Author: <strong>Kevin Loria<\/strong><br> https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/is-msg-sodium-in-chinese-food-safe-to-eat-2014-8<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Business Insider<\/em>, February, 2017<\/strong><br> Everyone should cook with MSG, says food scientist<br> Author: <strong>Gus Lubin  <\/strong>      <br> https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/cooking-with-msg-supersalt-2017-2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BuzzFeed, August, 2013<\/strong><br> The Notorious MSG&#8217;s Unlikely Formula For Success <br> Author: <strong>John Mahoney<\/strong><br> https:\/\/www.buzzfeed.com\/johnmahoney\/the-notorious-msgs-unlikely-formula-for-success<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Slate<\/em>, May, 2006<\/strong><br> Could MSG make a comeback?<br> Author: <strong>Sarah Dickerman<\/strong><br> https:\/\/slate.com\/human-interest\/2006\/05\/could-msg-make-a-comeback.html<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Reader\u2019s Digest<\/em>, August, 2018<\/strong><br> \u201cWhat is MSG \u2013 and how bad is it, really?<br> Author: <strong>Denise Mann, MS <\/strong>   <br> https:\/\/www.rd.com\/health\/wellness\/what-is-msg-and-how-bad-is-it-really\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Blog: MyFitnessPal, September, 2016<\/strong><br> Is MSG Safe? <br> Author: <strong>Monica Reinagel <\/strong><br> https:\/\/blog.myfitnesspal.com\/is-msg-safe\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Skeptical Raptor, July, 2018 <\/strong><br> \u201cMSG myth \u2013 debunked with real science\u201d <br> https:\/\/www.skepticalraptor.com\/skepticalraptorblog.php\/msg-myth-versus-science\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Self<\/em>, June, 2018<\/strong><br> \u201cWe all really need to stop freaking out about MSG\u201d<br> Author: <strong>Yvette d\u2019Entremont<\/strong><br> https:\/\/www.self.com\/story\/we-all-really-need-to-stop-freaking-out-about-msg<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>The Guardian<\/em>, May, 2018<\/strong><br> \u201cChinese restaurant syndrome: has MSG been unfairly demonized?\u201d<br> Author: <strong>Joanna Blythman<\/strong> <br> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/lifeandstyle\/2018\/may\/21\/chinese-restaurant-syndrome-has-msg-been-unfairly-demonised<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>The Guardian<\/em>, July 2005<\/strong><br> If MSG is so bad for you, why doesn&#8217;t everyone in Asia have a headache? <br> Author: <strong>Alex Renton<\/strong><br> https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/lifeandstyle\/2005\/jul\/10\/foodanddrink.features3 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Financial Times<\/em>, May, 2015<\/strong><br>OMG I love MSG <br>Author: <strong>Tim Hayward <\/strong><br>Not available online<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Smithsonian.com, November, 2013<\/strong><br> It&#8217;s the Umami, Stupid. Why the Truth About MSG is So Easy to Swallow<br> Author: <strong>Natasha Geiling<\/strong><br> https:\/\/www.smithsonianmag.com\/arts-culture\/its-the-umami-stupid-why-the-truth-about-msg-is-so-easy-to-swallow-180947626\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve merely skimmed the surface of what\u2019s out there.  If other articles catch your eye, please send their links to us at <strong>questionsaboutmsg@gmail.com<\/strong>, or post them on our <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Facebook (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Truth-in-Labeling-Campaign-114093959577\/\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a> page.  We like to give credit where credit is due.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The fiction that monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a harmless food additive has several key components: Rigged studies and bold-faced lies. A vigorous PR effort (currently being conducted by Daniel J. Edelman Public Relations). Paid media, in the form of \u201csponsored\u201d content (that you may not realize is bought and paid for). \u201cEarned\u201d media \u2013 meaning &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"http:\/\/truthinlabeling.org\/blog\/2019\/06\/02\/giving-credit-where-credit-is-due-writers-engaged-in-spreading-the-glutes-propaganda-and-the-outlets-that-enable-them\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Giving credit where credit is due: Writers engaged in spreading the Glutes\u2019 propaganda and the outlets that enable them&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":280,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[71,54,25,89,88,90,24,37],"class_list":["post-274","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-edelmanpr","tag-excitotoxins","tag-monosodiumglutamate","tag-msg-controversy","tag-msginduced","tag-theguardian","tag-truthinlabelingcampaign","tag-umami"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/truthinlabeling.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/truthinlabeling.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/truthinlabeling.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/truthinlabeling.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/truthinlabeling.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=274"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"http:\/\/truthinlabeling.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":284,"href":"http:\/\/truthinlabeling.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274\/revisions\/284"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/truthinlabeling.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/280"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/truthinlabeling.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=274"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/truthinlabeling.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=274"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/truthinlabeling.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=274"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}