Comparing E508 - Potassium chloride vs E621 - Monosodium glutamate
Overview
Synonyms
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Found in 33 products
Found in 9,893 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 5 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
What is potassium chloride used for?
In foods, E508 is used as a sodium‑reducing salt substitute and flavoring agent, and it can help with preservation and texture in products like cured meats, brines, and some gels/dairy.
Is potassium chloride good for you?
It can help lower sodium intake and adds potassium, but typical food amounts are small and it isn’t a health supplement; benefits depend on your diet and health status.
Is potassium chloride safe?
Yes—it's approved/GRAS and considered safe at normal food-use levels; people with kidney problems or on potassium‑raising drugs (e.g., ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium‑sparing diuretics) should be cautious with high‑potassium salt substitutes.
Is potassium chloride bad for you?
Not for most people at food levels, but excessive intake can raise blood potassium (hyperkalemia) and upset the stomach, especially in those with kidney or heart disease or on certain medications.
Is potassium chloride a salt?
Yes—it's an inorganic salt (KCl), often used as a substitute for table salt (sodium chloride).
Is msg bad for you?
No—MSG (E621) is generally recognized as safe by the FDA and permitted in the EU within limits; most people don’t experience adverse effects at typical food levels. A small subset may have short-lived symptoms (like headache or flushing) after large bolus intakes, and it contributes some sodium.
What is msg in food?
MSG is monosodium glutamate, the sodium salt of the amino acid glutamic acid, used as a flavor enhancer to add umami and intensify savory taste. It’s the same form of glutamate found naturally in foods like tomatoes and cheese.
What is msg made of?
It’s the sodium salt of L-glutamic acid, typically produced by fermenting plant sugars (e.g., sugarcane, sugar beet, or corn starch) with microbes, then neutralizing the glutamic acid with sodium. The result is purified crystals of monosodium glutamate.
Why is msg bad for you?
It isn’t considered “bad” at normal intakes—regulators deem it safe, and EFSA set a group ADI for glutamates of 30 mg/kg body weight/day to limit high exposures. Some people may experience transient symptoms after large doses, and it can add to overall sodium intake if overused.
Is msg bad?
No—MSG (E621) is considered safe at normal food levels (FDA GRAS; EFSA sets an acceptable daily intake of 30 mg/kg body weight/day), and well-controlled studies haven’t shown consistent harms. A small subset of people may get brief symptoms like headache or flushing after large doses, especially on an empty stomach, and it does add some sodium, but typical culinary use is fine for most.