FDA plans to reclassify all vitamins, supplements, herbs and juices as FDA-regulated drugs, page 2

Originally posted by arius
Being a former food inspector for a state agency I also at one time shared your feelings on msg. However, after extensive research I found no evidence that msg was harmful to people.

Here is some information about MSG, Aspartame, and Excitotoxins:

Were you aware that the food companies add chemicals to their products that stimulate hunger and disrupt normal appetite control? It's a clever (but downright devious) strategy for selling more food and boosting the profits of food corporations. But the truth about these chemicals -- known as excitotoxins -- is never explained to consumers. The food companies don't want you to know that these chemicals cause obesity, infertility, migraines and cancer, among other health problems.

In this eye-opening interview, you'll learn:
How MSG and aspartame are related to cancer, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic disorders.
How food companies hide MSG on food labels by using a "secret code" of innocent-sounding ingredients.
Why kids eating Splenda may end up with suppressed immune systems.
How the manufacturers of artificial sweeteners enforce scientific censorship on the dangers of their products.
The real reason why the American Diabetes Association won't speak out against aspartame.
Why yeast extract is more dangerous than monosodium glutamate.
The hidden link between soy and dementia.
Why many foods labeled "all natural" aren't healthy -- or natural!
How you can slow MSG and glutamate absorption using nutrients and herbs.
How aspartame both causes and accelerates cancer.
Why the pharmaceutical industry needs MSG to help create more patients.

You'll find these excitotoxins in:

Diet soda
"Sugar-free" drinks and sweets
Canned soups
Frozen pizza
Vegetarian foods, including veggie burgers
Snack chips
Diabetic foods
Salad dressing
Breakfast sausage
Beef jerky and chicken strips
Frozen foods, even "natural" ones
Instant dinner mixes
Baby food
Ranch-flavored dips and sauces
Gravy mixes and dip mixes
Bullion cubes and flavor packets
... and hundreds of other grocery products and restaurant foods.

As Dr. Russell Blaylock explains, these excitotoxin ingredients are known to cause:

Migraines
Seizures
Neurological disorders
Blurred vision
Increased appetite / overeating
Infertility and reproductive disorders
Impaired brain function
Cancer / brain tumors
Heart damage and cardiovascular harm

Source: The Truth About Aspartame, MSG and Excitotoxins (this is a free download)

Another article on MSG:

The taste enhancer is MSG -- monosodium glutamate -- a chemical that has been associated with reproductive disorders, migraine headaches, permanent damage to the endocrine system leading to obesity and other serious disorders. MSG is a chemical compound that simply does not belong in the body in the concentrations provided by these foods.
It is used by food manufacturers as a taste enhancer -- something to cover up the bland tastes of these foods and make them more appealing to consumers. But food manufacturers don't want to list MSG on the labels, especially when they know that consumers will avoid purchasing products that list MSG.

So what do they do instead? They hide the ingredient in another ingredient called "yeast extract", then they put yeast extract in the product and list "yeast extract" right on the label. So this is the scam: all sorts of natural health products and vegetarian products are using chemical taste enhancers in the form of yeast extract but failing to disclose to consumers that they actually contain MSG. And if you look around at the natural health products in health food stores and grocery stores, you'll find that yeast extract is a rather prominent ingredient. It's used in soups, in vegetarian mixes, in some tofu mixes, and even so-called natural frozen foods.

Source: Many "healthy" and vegetarian foods contain MSG in the form of yeast extract

However, the other issue is untested and unproven herbal concoctions. I am fine with using cheap medicines even herbal medicines if they meet stand up to the scientific method. Currently the only system we have is the FDA. Perhaps the FDA should fund testing on herbal medicines.

I agree that the FDA should fund testing on herbal medicines. I have no problem with that at all. I am just doubtful that they can do it honestly and without furthering their own hidden agenda.