Majority of people in the U.S. are confused by
conflicting food advice, rely on intuition over science
ITASCA,
Ill., June 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Ajinomoto Group, first and leading U.S. manufacturer of monosodium
glutamate (MSG), has released the first-ever Food Infodemic Report
– a nationwide survey conducted with YouGov that examines the
impact of food misinformation in the U.S. Among its findings, the
study of more than 3,000 U.S. adults revealed:
- 69% of people have seen conflicting food advice on social
media.
- 71% admit to adopting food beliefs and behaviors not grounded
in science.
- 57% have changed their eating behaviors based on something they
saw on social media.
- 60% rely on their intuition and personal knowledge to assess
food claims they see on social media.
- People are more likely to put garlic up their nose for
congestion relief than to check if a social influencer is qualified
(30% vs. 25%).
"As a leading manufacturer of MSG, we understand the
ramifications of misinformation and the importance of facts and
science in setting the record straight," said Tia M. Rains, PhD, Vice President of Science,
Innovation & Corporate Affairs at Ajinomoto Health &
Nutrition, North America, Inc.
"The food infodemic isn't unique to MSG, so we launched this study
to better understand the sources, causes, and societal consequence
of misinformation more broadly, with the goal of creating a more
informed and inclusive food culture."
According to the report, food misinformation is not only leading
to unnecessary avoidance of foods, but is perpetuating the
stigmatization of diverse cuisines and cultures:
- Nearly half of respondents from communities of color have
personally experienced or witnessed ridicule over their cultural or
heritage foods (Asian 52%, Black 46%, Hispanic 46%, compared to 33%
for non-Hispanic White).
- Also evident is the myth of "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome,"
which emerged in 1968, falsely linking MSG to health concerns
despite decades of scientific evidence confirming its safety; the
stigma still causes some people to shun MSG and unjustly
stigmatizes Asian cuisine. 26% of respondents avoid
restaurants that use MSG, with 20% avoiding Chinese food entirely
due to MSG concerns.
- While 81% of respondents agree that food allows them to
experience other cultures, more than one-third (34%) say they have
tried to avoid specific cultural cuisines in hopes of being
healthier.
"Food should be a source of joy and connection, but
misinformation can divide us," said Dr. Rains. "Our goal with this
report is to shed light on the wide range of conflicting – and
often bizarre – information flooding our social media feeds.
Ultimately, we hope to inspire more thoughtful and inclusive food
exploration and encourage people to check qualified sources and
rely on the science."
For the full, designed report and tips for navigating food
misinformation, visit www.KnowMSG.com.
About The Ajinomoto Group's Campaigns to Correct Public
Perception of MSG
In 2018, the Ajinomoto Group embarked on a mission to set the
record straight about MSG in the U.S., working with nutrition
scientists, culinary experts and the Asian American and Native
Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community to unravel years
of unfounded stigma. The company started by successfully
lobbying Merriam Webster's Dictionary to revise the
outdated and racist definition of "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome."
When COVID-19 swept the country, The Ajinomoto Group launched an
online initiative encouraging the public to "Take Out Hate" by
ordering from their local Asian restaurants, which were closing at
double the rate of others due to misinformation and a rise in
anti-Asian xenophobia. In 2020, the company revealed the new "Know
MSG" symbol to replace outdated "No MSG" signs and challenge
assumptions about MSG. In 2022, the company challenged chemophobic
roots of "clean" eating diets with a public invitation for Goop to
join the brand for #DinnerWithGoop to learn about the facts about
MSG's safety. In 2023, the Ajinomoto Group's tongue-in-cheek
#CancelPizza initiative leveraged humor to spotlight the irony of
condemning MSG seasoning, while embracing other foods with
inherently present MSG, like quintessential pizza
ingredients. Due to these efforts, more than 34 million US
consumers have changed their opinions to state they believe MSG is
safe to eat.
About Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
The Ajinomoto Group aims to
resolve food and health issues associated with dietary habits and
aging and contribute to greater wellness for people worldwide.
Based on the corporate message "Eat Well, Live Well.", the company
has been scientifically pursuing the possibilities of amino acids
to aim for future growth by creating new value through sustainable
and innovative solutions for communities and society. The Ajinomoto
Group has offices in 36 countries and regions, and sells products
in more than 130 countries and regions. In fiscal 2022, sales
were 1.359 trillion yen (9.4
billion U.S. dollars). To learn more,
visit www.ajinomoto.com.
About Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America,
Inc.
Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc. is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Ajinomoto Group, a global leader in
the research, development, manufacture and sale of amino acid-based
products for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, sports nutrition,
health and beauty industries, as well as food ingredients. The
company opened its first U.S. office in New York in 1917
and has since grown and expanded its presence, establishing offices
and production facilities in North
Carolina, Iowa and Illinois. Ajinomoto Health &
Nutrition North America, Inc. leverages an international
manufacturing, supply and distribution chain to bring the
highest-grade products to customers. For additional information on
Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, Inc., please
visit http://www.ajihealthandnutrition.com.
Media Contact: Caroline Tortorella
caroline.tortorella@edelman.com
For more information on the safety, science and benefits of MSG
visit www.KnowMSG.com. Follow @KnowMSG on TikTok and
@Know_MSG on Instagram.
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SOURCE Ajinomoto Co., Inc