Foods Containing E621 (Monosodium Glutamate)
E621 (Monosodium Glutamate) is MSG — a flavour enhancer produced by fermenting plant sugars. Vegan, halal and judged safe by every major regulator, despite decades of myth. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E621
E621 is used across crisps, instant noodles, soups, stock cubes, savoury snacks and ready meals. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Crisps and savoury snacks
- Instant noodles
- Stock cubes
- Chinese and East Asian cooking
- Ready meals
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E621 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E621" or as "Monosodium Glutamate".
How to spot E621 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "flavour enhancers: E621" or "flavour enhancers: monosodium glutamate". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Monosodium Glutamate" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E621?
E621 is considered safe. It is authorised across the EU, UK and US, and safety evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have not identified health concerns at the levels used in food. For most people there is no reason to avoid E621.
Full guide to E621: safety, vegan and halal status →
This section contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Want to avoid E621?
Additive-free eating
Cookbooks and guides for cooking without additives.
Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).