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IngredientsFormulationAuthentic/Ethnic

New Ajinomoto Campaign Challenges Assumptions About Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

The company joins forces with Pepper Teigen, designer Zipeng Zhu, and Asian food brand Omsom to replace outdated "No MSG" signs with new "KNOW MSG" symbol

Ajinomoto_MSG_900
December 2, 2020

Ajinomoto Co., Inc., a producer of MSG committed to championing science and setting the record straight on the ingredient, announced a new campaign to address the heart of MSG's perception problem in the US: xenophobia-born misinformation. With the reveal of a new "Know MSG" symbol designed by acclaimed Chinese-born graphic artist Zipeng Zhu, the campaign calls into question the problematic and pervasive "No MSG" signs that have reinforced baseless anti-MSG stigma for decades. 
 
In response to recent research that shows most MSG avoiders lack real knowledge of the ingredient1, and in a moment when Americans are demanding facts over fear and questioning myriad misinformed historical symbols, the new emblem and campaign urge people get to know MSG and reconsider it. Additional aspects of the movement include:
 
An MSG-boasting product collaboration between long-time MSG advocate, cooking enthusiast and mother to Chrissy Teigen, Pepper Teigen, popularly known as "Pepper Thai", and innovative Asian food brand Omsom, available spring 2021.
The launch of KnowMSG.com, an educational hub for accurate information on MSG where visitors can download "Know MSG" graphics, request "Know MSG" stickers, and sign up to be alerted when the Pepper Teigen x Omsom product drops.
 
Despite MSG's 110-year history of safety validated by health organizations across the globe, lingering skepticism fueled by personal anecdotes and poorly conducted research in the 1970s has unfairly stigmatized the ingredient. For decades, the "No MSG" symbol that pervades restaurant windows, grocery shelves and food products has perpetuated the false perception of MSG as dangerous, and driven Americans away from enjoying an ingredient that adds savory umami taste to food.
 
Across the globe, MSG is a common pantry staple, widely enjoyed as an umami seasoning. Pepper Teigen's family has been cooking with MSG for decades.
 
www.KnowMSG.com
www.ajinomoto.com

KEYWORDS: food marketing monosodium glutamate (MSG)

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