Punjab Food Authority bans Chinese salt after scientific panel finds it hazardous for health
The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) on Monday banned Ajinomoto, commonly known as Chinese salt, after the authority's scientific panel found it hazardous for health.
According to the findings of the scientific panel of the PFA, Chinese salt contains Monosodium glutamate (MSG) which can cause headaches, fatigue, palpitations, nausea and vomiting, sweating, flushing and numbness of the face, more so among people who are sensitive to it.
It can also cause hypertension and is extremely hazardous for pregnant women, the panel found.
The PFA scientific panel recommended banning the usage of Ajinomoto in all eateries, frozen foods, and all other food products.
The authority has issued a final deadline of March 31 to bring the use of Chinese salt to a complete halt.
Chemically, it is a salt of the amino acid family — Glutamic Acid (glutamate).
According to some reports, regular use of this ingredient can cause long-term issues like high blood pressure, autism, hormonal imbalance, epilepsy, food allergies, asthma, reduction in bile formation, cancer and possible sterility in females.
According to some findings, the MSG over-stimulates the brain tricking one into thinking that food tastes really great, so the person consuming it not only wants to have more of that food, but also want to go back to it. This is termed as magic ingredient that food companies love to use as a flavour enhancer in their products.
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Comments (51) Closed
Better late than never!!!
MSG , Monosdium Glutamate, is injurious to health if taken in extra dose. This salt is an integral part of Chinese Soups, and Chinese Dishes. The advertisements through brand names by several companies, made it an essential for every kitchen. People must the above report, based on facts, and avoid MSG in routine dishes.
MSG is banned in Canada. There are ads of chinse restaurants claiming no MSG added. Should one believe them? I will not. Thanks Pakistan!!
Picture has just started good luck Pakistan
Chinese food products are contaminated and hence banned in many countries that have strict food & health regulations. Chinses food products should not be sold in Pakistan.
We have known ajinomoto to be hazardous for a long time.so what is new here. Pakistan found it in 2018.
Glutamate is a dangerous food component and should be avoided. It causes alergies.
MSG is almost entirely banned in the west. The Chines use MSG as a flavor enhancer!
Let us see for how many days does the ban last.
been used in Pakistan for 3-4 decades and now the Pakistanis realize it.
The best salt comes from Pakistan - pink Himalayan salt. Himalayan salt is relatively high in iron, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and chloride. It also contains traces of boron, fluoride, iodine, zinc, selenium and copper, all of which are necessary for bodily health. As a naturally occurring salt, Himalayan salt contains all these minerals without chemical processing or refinement.
Why not use the famous Himalayan salt instead? Don’t trust this cheap Chinese stuff
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is banned in Western countries including USA and Canada since 80's being neurotoxin leading to development of cancer.
switch to Himalayan salt then, I found it to be the best
A wise move. MSG must be banned in all foods , apart from Ajinomoto, its also found in many other food additives in Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Malayan cuisine . A number of these items are commonly used in Pakistan too, nowadays.
They are great friends, but we should remember their food standards aren’t great.
A ban effective aMarch 31 is way too late. In almost 10 weeks, it will be consumed by several million people in homes, restaurants and eateries and many commercial products endangering health & life of so many. Why not effectuate an instant ban, pulling off from the shelves and godowns and a total ban on import.
Good job
And MSG is made from animal bones, including any animal ??????
Good step, this taste enhanser is bad for health. It should be banned through out Pakistan
Realisation started late but ok. At least realised.
All Chinese food products are substandard. Even other products are use and throw
Watch out guys Chinese products are notorious for added chemicals.../
An excellent step. Noy only is MSG bad for health, it is also unclear whether the MSG used in a food is from halal source or pork. It should be banned all over the country.
If you go to a Chinese place, ask your server for Chinese Salt free food.
Pringle lays are few of finished good which have the same. All ready to eat snaks from multinational cos have the same
Ajinomoto was already deemed bad back in 1980 in Pakistan, wonder was Punjab governments sleeping?
@Ahmed KP govenerment of Imran Khan and Sindh government of Zardari is still sleeping. Atleast give credit where it is due.
Good move if it is hazardous.
It is a flavour enhancer. Monosodium glutamate is found naturally in tomatoes, cheese and other foods. MSG is used in the food industry as a flavor enhancer with an umami taste that intensifies the meaty, savory flavor of food, as naturally occurring glutamate does in foods such as stews and meat soups.
Good step ! Who and how any one will Bell this cat ! Chinese restaurants are a booming business! Dear folks ,you are one your own .PFA , thanks .
It seems the Pakistani Food Authority is basing their decisions on 1960s data. MSG occurs normally in many foods including Wheat. After years of research, international organisations like the FAO and WHO concluded that MSG is no more dangerous than salt or sugar or nuts. Some people may have some problems with these products, but the majority consume them and have no problems. The WHO, US FDA and other regulatory bodies classify MSG as ' GRAS' - Generally Recognised As Safe. The decision reflects on the poor scientific approach by the Food Authority
Harmful effects of MSG are very controversial. First of all, Ajinomoto is a Japanese company, not Chinese. Secondly, Ajinomoto is not a salt but it’s an Umami Seasoning. Thirdly, it’s still sold in the US. There are several symptoms reported due to MSG, however, researchers have not been able to link any of them to the MSG.
These types of action should taken by all provinces, further restaurants and hotels also need to inspect for their ingredients and food quality. We usually eat food from hotels/restaurants blindly, we just check frontal cleanliness and taste !!! Authorities think about it.
That's good, but if gets fully implemented!
What about soya sauce and Chinese chilli sauce.
As per findings use of ajinomoto should henceforth be stopped.
@Sam MD from US You are correct that Ajinamoto is a Japanese company. However, today the majority of MSG is produced by Chinese using fermentation of Glucose as the process to produce it.
@Sam MD from US
You are absolutely right that Ajinomoto is a Japanese Company and the brand and it is not outright harmful, if used with discretion. It might cause health concerns for some, like those who are allergic to certain foods, for example Egg Plant, Tomatoes, etc. Pakistan might have tested Ajinomoto, Monosodium Glutamate, produced in China. For that matter all Chinese products while cheaper are also harmful.
Not only salt but Chinese financing model is also highly injurious to country's economic health.
@Khan What makes you think they are great friends. They are there for their own good. Don't get misled with the smooth talks. They would give little and take more.
This is a wake up call for all those administrative set ups in other provinces to carry out tests on these imported as well as indigenous food additives. Likewise being practiced as a law in the western countries that each item must gets its certification from concerned department clearly showing it is safe to use by the general public, we should follow suit. The credit of this awareness goes to those members of the civil society who have made great efforts by moving the SC, through petitions in the public interest, and have become instrumental in spreading of this awareness. Like here in US, a civil society group called Nedar group carries out surveillance of all food items sold in the market, likewise we need a civil society outfit, who may be able to circumvent use of dead animal meat, adulterated food and tea leaves additives etc. We have to be very careful of products being imported from China in particular, because of cultural and dietary preferences in vogue in their country.
@Farooq no it isn't banned in USA & Canada. Please provide prove if it is
@Zaf Is Himalayan salt the same as mined from Khewra mines of Jhelum district or it is something different?
there is myth i china, anything move on earth you can eat and serve. beware they can mix anything to make money. there is a proverb small eyes and nose can be decisive.
Our people with rapidly growing rate of illiteracy will never understand these things and then we have business community who is only and all about making money. Be it from making and selling toys of recycled injections and other plastic from hospitals....making soap from main-hole waste....making milk from detergent and chemicals.the list never ends. We are going only in the depths of darkness.
Good step. Now also ban all noodles and snacks containing MSG as well. They are big hazard for health of children.
a really good move! MSG is also found in most ready masala packs, which are now routinely used in Pakistani households. I hope those masala packs are also banned.
every country having long terms plan like 25 or 50 or 100 years plan to execute long term mission to friend or enemy country to impose slow drug or medicine like Antibiotic .. As we know today evey Pak & Ind are taking very large amount of banned drug is a part of Western.. same as MSG contain make stealth in long terms.. Ppl will loose ability to think in mass and country will not progress and dependent on some other. This is long term agenda. EU has agency to monitor every aspect but unfortunately we don't have any effective agency to monitor.
@Shaan Pink salt all goes to EU, USA, Japan & China.
The yuan should be banned. Have some self respect
Its name is wrong. It is flavor enhancer and it shudnt have been called Chinese salt. False flavor enhancer
Comments (51) Closed
Better late than never!!!
MSG , Monosdium Glutamate, is injurious to health if taken in extra dose. This salt is an integral part of Chinese Soups, and Chinese Dishes. The advertisements through brand names by several companies, made it an essential for every kitchen. People must the above report, based on facts, and avoid MSG in routine dishes.
MSG is banned in Canada. There are ads of chinse restaurants claiming no MSG added. Should one believe them? I will not. Thanks Pakistan!!
Picture has just started good luck Pakistan
Chinese food products are contaminated and hence banned in many countries that have strict food & health regulations. Chinses food products should not be sold in Pakistan.
We have known ajinomoto to be hazardous for a long time.so what is new here. Pakistan found it in 2018.
Glutamate is a dangerous food component and should be avoided. It causes alergies.
MSG is almost entirely banned in the west. The Chines use MSG as a flavor enhancer!
Let us see for how many days does the ban last.
been used in Pakistan for 3-4 decades and now the Pakistanis realize it.
The best salt comes from Pakistan - pink Himalayan salt. Himalayan salt is relatively high in iron, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and chloride. It also contains traces of boron, fluoride, iodine, zinc, selenium and copper, all of which are necessary for bodily health. As a naturally occurring salt, Himalayan salt contains all these minerals without chemical processing or refinement.
Why not use the famous Himalayan salt instead? Don’t trust this cheap Chinese stuff
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is banned in Western countries including USA and Canada since 80's being neurotoxin leading to development of cancer.
switch to Himalayan salt then, I found it to be the best
A wise move. MSG must be banned in all foods , apart from Ajinomoto, its also found in many other food additives in Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Malayan cuisine . A number of these items are commonly used in Pakistan too, nowadays.
They are great friends, but we should remember their food standards aren’t great.
A ban effective aMarch 31 is way too late. In almost 10 weeks, it will be consumed by several million people in homes, restaurants and eateries and many commercial products endangering health & life of so many. Why not effectuate an instant ban, pulling off from the shelves and godowns and a total ban on import.
Good job
And MSG is made from animal bones, including any animal ??????
Good step, this taste enhanser is bad for health. It should be banned through out Pakistan
Realisation started late but ok. At least realised.
All Chinese food products are substandard. Even other products are use and throw
Watch out guys Chinese products are notorious for added chemicals.../
An excellent step. Noy only is MSG bad for health, it is also unclear whether the MSG used in a food is from halal source or pork. It should be banned all over the country.
If you go to a Chinese place, ask your server for Chinese Salt free food.
Pringle lays are few of finished good which have the same. All ready to eat snaks from multinational cos have the same
Ajinomoto was already deemed bad back in 1980 in Pakistan, wonder was Punjab governments sleeping?
@Ahmed KP govenerment of Imran Khan and Sindh government of Zardari is still sleeping. Atleast give credit where it is due.
Good move if it is hazardous.
It is a flavour enhancer. Monosodium glutamate is found naturally in tomatoes, cheese and other foods. MSG is used in the food industry as a flavor enhancer with an umami taste that intensifies the meaty, savory flavor of food, as naturally occurring glutamate does in foods such as stews and meat soups.
Good step ! Who and how any one will Bell this cat ! Chinese restaurants are a booming business! Dear folks ,you are one your own .PFA , thanks .
It seems the Pakistani Food Authority is basing their decisions on 1960s data. MSG occurs normally in many foods including Wheat. After years of research, international organisations like the FAO and WHO concluded that MSG is no more dangerous than salt or sugar or nuts. Some people may have some problems with these products, but the majority consume them and have no problems. The WHO, US FDA and other regulatory bodies classify MSG as ' GRAS' - Generally Recognised As Safe. The decision reflects on the poor scientific approach by the Food Authority
Harmful effects of MSG are very controversial. First of all, Ajinomoto is a Japanese company, not Chinese. Secondly, Ajinomoto is not a salt but it’s an Umami Seasoning. Thirdly, it’s still sold in the US. There are several symptoms reported due to MSG, however, researchers have not been able to link any of them to the MSG.
These types of action should taken by all provinces, further restaurants and hotels also need to inspect for their ingredients and food quality. We usually eat food from hotels/restaurants blindly, we just check frontal cleanliness and taste !!! Authorities think about it.
That's good, but if gets fully implemented!
What about soya sauce and Chinese chilli sauce.
As per findings use of ajinomoto should henceforth be stopped.
@Sam MD from US You are correct that Ajinamoto is a Japanese company. However, today the majority of MSG is produced by Chinese using fermentation of Glucose as the process to produce it.
@Sam MD from US
You are absolutely right that Ajinomoto is a Japanese Company and the brand and it is not outright harmful, if used with discretion. It might cause health concerns for some, like those who are allergic to certain foods, for example Egg Plant, Tomatoes, etc. Pakistan might have tested Ajinomoto, Monosodium Glutamate, produced in China. For that matter all Chinese products while cheaper are also harmful.
Not only salt but Chinese financing model is also highly injurious to country's economic health.
@Khan What makes you think they are great friends. They are there for their own good. Don't get misled with the smooth talks. They would give little and take more.
This is a wake up call for all those administrative set ups in other provinces to carry out tests on these imported as well as indigenous food additives. Likewise being practiced as a law in the western countries that each item must gets its certification from concerned department clearly showing it is safe to use by the general public, we should follow suit. The credit of this awareness goes to those members of the civil society who have made great efforts by moving the SC, through petitions in the public interest, and have become instrumental in spreading of this awareness. Like here in US, a civil society group called Nedar group carries out surveillance of all food items sold in the market, likewise we need a civil society outfit, who may be able to circumvent use of dead animal meat, adulterated food and tea leaves additives etc. We have to be very careful of products being imported from China in particular, because of cultural and dietary preferences in vogue in their country.
@Farooq no it isn't banned in USA & Canada. Please provide prove if it is
@Zaf Is Himalayan salt the same as mined from Khewra mines of Jhelum district or it is something different?
there is myth i china, anything move on earth you can eat and serve. beware they can mix anything to make money. there is a proverb small eyes and nose can be decisive.
Our people with rapidly growing rate of illiteracy will never understand these things and then we have business community who is only and all about making money. Be it from making and selling toys of recycled injections and other plastic from hospitals....making soap from main-hole waste....making milk from detergent and chemicals.the list never ends. We are going only in the depths of darkness.
Good step. Now also ban all noodles and snacks containing MSG as well. They are big hazard for health of children.
a really good move! MSG is also found in most ready masala packs, which are now routinely used in Pakistani households. I hope those masala packs are also banned.
every country having long terms plan like 25 or 50 or 100 years plan to execute long term mission to friend or enemy country to impose slow drug or medicine like Antibiotic .. As we know today evey Pak & Ind are taking very large amount of banned drug is a part of Western.. same as MSG contain make stealth in long terms.. Ppl will loose ability to think in mass and country will not progress and dependent on some other. This is long term agenda. EU has agency to monitor every aspect but unfortunately we don't have any effective agency to monitor.
@Shaan Pink salt all goes to EU, USA, Japan & China.
The yuan should be banned. Have some self respect
Its name is wrong. It is flavor enhancer and it shudnt have been called Chinese salt. False flavor enhancer