MSG or monosodium glutamate — a near ubiquitous food additive used to enhance flavors in food — seems to have gotten the entire mainstream-media industry under its spell.
This past spring, I received an email from a writer by the name of Clarissa Wei.
She wrote: “I’m a freelance journalist currently working on a story about the history of MSG for National Geographic, with a focus on how public narratives have shifted over the past decade. I found your Substack piece Is it News or is it Propaganda? to be a valuable counterpoint.
“While many recent stories emphasize the science clearing MSG’s name, your piece raises important questions about how that message is packaged, funded, and disseminated. and who ultimately benefits.
“I’d love to include your voice in my piece.”
Clarissa even provided links to past articles she had done for big-name media outlets, such as The New York Times, BBC, and The New Yorker.
“I appreciate the chance to be included,” I unsuspectingly wrote back, adding, “Thanks for tracking me down.”
Read the full post about MSG on my Substack, Badditives.
Linda Bonvie is co-author of A Consumer’s Guide to Toxic Food Additives: How to Avoid Synthetic Sweeteners, Artificial Colors, MSG, and More. To learn more about food additives or read more on her Substack, Badditives.
