Food experts and researchers have said that there is no scientific proof to show that consuming AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami food seasoning is associated with any health issues, urging consumers to disregard unfounded rumour about the Japanese product.
The experts reiterated that AJI-NO-MOTO® is safe for consumption and that it has lots of health benefits because of the reduction of salt intake when using the seasoning in food preparation.
According to them, adulteration and lots of fake and cheap products in the markets are actually the problem the seasoning is facing and not safety issues.
The experts spoke at the 2022 Umami Seminar with the theme, ‘Unlocking the Secret of the Fifth Taste”, organised by Ajinomoto Foods Nigeria Limited, an affiliate of a global food giant, Ajinomoto and makers of the product.
The event which was held at the Sheraton Lagos Hotel on Wednesday, had in attendance representatives of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control; Nigerian Medical Association, Lagos State Chapter; Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology; Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter; Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Nurses & Midwives Association, Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency.
Others are representatives of the Home Economics Teachers’ Association of Nigeria; Lagos State Caterers & Decorators Association, Home Science Association among other professional bodies.
In his presentation, the Keynote Speaker and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Dutse (FUD) in Jigawa State, Prof. Abdulkarim Mohammad, told the gathering and consuming public that there are things that they really need to know about AJI-NO-MOTO® food seasoning .
Prof. Mohammad, a food biotechnology expert, said that in this era that hypertension is on the increase , the use of AJI-NO-MOTO® helps to reduce salt in food because it’s pure monosodium glutamate without other impurities.
He said the undeserved reputation about the product comes from lack of awareness among the people.
According to him, AJI-NO-MOTO® is made from sugarcane through fermentation process, stressing that more than 100 countries of the world use the product.
The food expert explained, ” What I can say from my side as a researcher is that this product has been extensively researched not only in Nigeria but in Asia and also in Europe because of the controversies.
” What the researchers found is that there is nothing to associate this particular product with any of the ill health that is being said to have been caused like hypertension and heart diseases.
“Scientifically, when you mention amino acids, they are essential for our body and this product is only that.
“Basically, like I would say here and I would mention it everywhere I go, this product is quite safe. It has been certified and generally recognized as a safe product.
“When we talk about the benefits, we talk about salt reduction with this product. With AJI-NO-MOTO®, you can reduce your salt consumption by up to 40% and you will feel the same great delicious taste.
“That means you are not compromising the taste that you have, which is also very good.”
The don said MSG is good for the brain and was used for a lot of electrical activities in the body.
Continuing, the researcher said, ” What you have in salt is just to enhance the taste of food but with AJI-NO-MOTO® like I mentioned is a neurotransmitter.
“MSG is used for a lot of electrical activities in your body. It is good for the brain.
“What we don’t want in food actually is anything that accumulates in your body. Salt does accumulate in your bloodstream that is why we have high blood pressure, etc.
“MSG is strictly used in the body, it doesn’t accumulate in the body. So, it is used up and it doesn’t accumulate like salt and so you don’t have any adverse effect or long term effect consuming this product.
Prof. Mohammad further said umami and MSG were discovered by a Japanese scientist.
“We are familiar with umami from birth as breast milk also contains a lot of glutamate. Safety of MSG is guaranteed by many global authorities.
“AJI-NO-MOTO is a healthy product that has been consumed by billions of people across the globe. There is no scientific proof yet to directly associate MSG with any health issues as suggested.
“There is no chemical difference between naturally occurring glutamate and the glutamate present in MSG AJI-NO-MOTO®. Daily, we ingest 20-24 times more naturally occurring glutamate than we do consume MSG yet nothing happens to us”, he noted.
The VC urged health practitioners to advise their patients on food related issues based on research information.
The researcher also advised consumers to eat well and wisely by patronising only AJINOMOTO branded MSG from authorised dealers and retailers and to also check for imitation in packaging and avoid use of any damaged packaged product.
Earlier in his welcome address, Managing Director of Ajinomoto Foods Nigeria Limited, Mr. Noriyuki Ogushi, said umami is the taste of the amino acid glutamate – one of the most prevalent amino acids in nature and naturally present in foods like tomatoes, seafoods, vegetables, cheese, and milk.
Ogushi, said the purpose of the seminar was to give the right information about AJI-NO-MOTO® food seasoning
“Actually, we still have less understanding of the product by the people.We looked at the safety and benefit of AJI-NO-MOTO®.
“Nigerians should know that this product is very safe and it enhances their dishes and reduces their salt intake. The product is very affordable”, he said.
Head of Marketing at Ajinomoto, Mr. Isa Hassan Shallangwa also provided more safety facts about the product, saying the brand is the first MSG seasoning produced since 1909.
“ The safety of umami seasoning has been approved by authorities all over the world such as in the USA, EU, Australia, Japan, and also by NAFDAC/Nigeria”, he said.
