Ban the use of Mono-sodium Glutamate (MSG) in New Zealand

We, the citizens of New Zealand are calling for the ban of the use of Mono-sodium Glutamate (MSG) in the food sold in New Zealand or at the very least, stricter requirements involving all food products containing MSG to be clearly and obviously labelled or all restaurants using MSG in their foods to have a large sign that is easily seen, that clearly states "Warning, we use MSG".

There are many people in New Zealand who suffer from side effects and health issues whenever they consume MSG and sadly, often it cannot be helped. Sometimes it is labelled under another name on foods and often in restaurants we are unable to enquire due to the low level of english of some restaurant workers.

On the Food Smart website run by the New Zealand government, it clearly states some of the side effects associated with the consumption of MSG as found in The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology report which indicated the number of people who might suffer from reactions to MSG was unknown, but people could experience one or more of the following symptoms: Burning sensation in the back of the neck, forearms and chest, numbness in the back of the neck (radiating to the arms and back), tingling, warmth and weakness in the face, temples, upper back, neck and arms, facial pressure or tightness, chest pain, headache, nausea, rapid heartbeat, Bronchospasm (difficulty breathing) in MSG-intolerant people with asthma, drowsiness, weakness.

In otherwise healthy people, symptoms could develop within an hour after eating 3 grams or more of MSG, on an empty stomach, or with other food and people with severe, poorly controlled asthma may be very susceptible to this condition. While there is no evidence to suggest chronic disease or long-term illness develops from eating MSG, we do not believe this is a good enough reason to let a group of us who are either affected by MSG or wish to avoid it regardless, should have to play Russian Roulette with our food.

MSG. (n.d.). Retrieved December 21, 2012, from http://www.foodsmart.govt.nz/whats-in-our-food/chemicals-nutrients-additives-toxins/food-additives/msg/  

MSG Is This Silent Killer Lurking in Your Kitchen Cabinets. (n.d.).Mercola.com. Retrieved December 21, 2012, from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/21/msg-is-this-silent-killer-lurking-in-your-kitchen-cabinets.aspx