Toxicological evaluation of MSG for the manufacturing workers’ health: A literature review

In spite of the controversies over safety of MSG, monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer, has not yet been generally accepted to be toxic to humans, but also being produced in large quantities throughout the world. Occupational risk assessment or health hazards evaluation associated with MSG products including engineering controls have rarely been studied. Current recommendations to minimize exposure and hazards to establish and maintain a safe working environment are largely based on scientific evidence of its mutagenicity; however, additional study is needed to assess the risks for workers, as well as to measure the MSG levels in the workplace. This review deems some of the points behind the application to health and safety in MSG manufacturing workers. The use of biomarkers is increasing as a sustainable measure for the establishment of a safe workplaces because of growing demands for preventing unfavorable exposure. With respect to the future prospects of MSG production, the overall effect of MSG on the environment, workplace, and occupational health concerns must be investigated in detail. © 2017, Korean Society of Environmental Risk Assessment and Health Science and Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.