YenzoWhat is E621 (monosodium glutamate)?
It is monosodium glutamate, the sodium salt of glutamic acid. It is made by fermentation from sugar cane, maize or cassava, much like vinegar or soy sauce, and is added to food for its umami taste.
E621Monosodium glutamate
In Vietnam it is usually called bột ngọt or mì chính. It is the sodium salt of glutamic acid — a substance found naturally in tomatoes, cheese and meat stock. MSG strengthens the umami taste — the savoury taste of meat and broth — so it is common in instant noodles, seasoning granules, sauces, snacks, sausages and home cooking too.
Did you know? In 1908 the Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda isolated glutamate from kombu seaweed broth and named the umami taste; a year later MSG went on sale as a seasoning.
- Code
- E621 · INS 621
- Group
- Flavour enhancer
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalelow?Based on EFSA's scientific assessment, 2017
EFSA (2017) found that intake in some population groups can exceed the ADI. On the Yenzo Scale this finding does not raise the risk level by itself.
How much a day stays within the ADI?EFSA 2017: 30 mg/kg bw per day
about 2.0 g a daythat is 1,950 mg
How E621 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, flavour enhancer (621), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
flavour enhancer (621)flavour enhancer 621E621INS 621bột ngọtmì chínhnatri glutamatmononatri l-glutamatmononatri glutamatmonosodium glutamate
Questions about monosodium glutamate
Is MSG harmful?
In 2017 EFSA concluded that E621 is safe within 30 mg/kg body weight a day — about 2 g for an adult weighing 65 kg. EFSA also noted that some people exceed this level through their usual diet. If you want to limit it, watch seasoning granules, stock cubes and dipping sauces — where there is most MSG.
Is MSG permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Monosodium L-glutamate (INS 621) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, with the function flavour enhancer.
Can children and pregnant women have E621?
In the EU, glutamates may not be added to foods for infants. For older children and pregnant women there is no separate ban; the same daily level applies. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
Other flavour enhancers
E620Glutamic acidlowE622Monopotassium glutamatelowE623Calcium diglutamatelowE624Monoammonium glutamatelowE625Magnesium diglutamatelowE626Guanylic acidlow
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Xúc xích tỏi GO! (garlic sausage)GO! · sausages and processed meat
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Sốt mayonnaise SimplySimply · sauces and dips
Mì ramen Vifon vị nước tương (soy sauce ramen)Vifon · instant noodlesThịt xông khói hỗn hợp GO! (mixed smoked bacon)GO! · sausages and processed meatMì ramen HO-YA vị gà (golden chicken ramen)HO-YA · instant noodlesChả ức gà Le Gourmet (chicken breast ham roll)Le Gourmet · sausages and processed meatUpdated 20 October 2026
Sources (4)
- EFSA Journal: Re-evaluation of glutamic acid (E 620), sodium glutamate (E 621), potassium glutamate (E 622), calcium glutamate (E 623), ammonium glutamate (E 624) and magnesium glutamate (E 625) as food additives (2017).
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 1
- Lindemann B, Ogiwara Y, Ninomiya Y (2002). The discovery of umami. Chemical Senses 27(9): 843–844
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, Annex II (foods for infants and young children)