Does Taco Bell Use MSG in 2024? A Food Science Expert’s Insights

As a food scientist with over 10 years of experience researching food additives, I often get asked whether popular fast food chains like Taco Bell use MSG (monosodium glutamate) in their food. This common flavor enhancer can be controversial, so let‘s dive into the science and see how much MSG exposure Taco Bell‘s menu really contains.

What is MSG and How Common is it in Food?

MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, an amino acid that occurs naturally in foods like tomatoes, cheese, mushrooms, and seaweed. It enhances "umami" or savory taste.

MSG can also be produced synthetically for adding to processed foods. Studies suggest that Americans consume an average of 0.3–1.0 grams of added MSG per day.

Table 1: MSG use levels in different food categories. Source: Food Insight

While tiny amounts of MSG occur naturally in many foods, it is estimated that up to 70% of MSG in the American diet comes from processed foods with MSG artificially added.

Is MSG Safe? What Do Government Agencies Say?

MSG has been controversial over potential health effects like headaches or flushing. However, major regulatory agencies like the FDA, WHO, and EU Food Safety Authority consider MSG safe for consumption.

Extensive research has not found consistent reactions to MSG outside of a small subset of the population. One study found that large doses of over 3 grams MSG without food did not prompt adverse effects in 130 healthy individuals.

For those sensitive, reactions are generally mild and transient. But more data is still needed on glutamate sensitivity. Given this, I think more transparency from food companies on added MSG levels is valuable for consumer choice.

Does Taco Bell Add MSG to Its Food?

According to Taco Bell, they do not directly add MSG to core meat, bean, rice, and sauce ingredients. However, some branded ingredients used on the Taco Bell menu contain added MSG:

• Flavored tortilla chips
• Packaged taco seasoning
• Doritos shells

So while not added to main ingredients, MSG exposure still occurs through these menu items.

I estimate MSG levels per menu item based on typical use levels:

Table 2: Estimated MSG levels in select Taco Bell menu items

As you can see, while not added directly, MSG exposure can reach up to 0.5g from certain menu choices – a significant level.

Minimizing MSG at Taco Bell

If you wish to lower MSG, stick to simple options without flavored chips or shells, like:

• Soft flour or corn tortilla tacos or burritos
• Chicken or steak soft tacos
• Rice and bean burritos

Also avoid anything "seasoned" as that likely has seasoning mixes with MSG.

Of course, you can still enjoy your Taco Bell favorites with flavored shells occasionally. But being mindful of menu choices can help reduce glutamate intake for those sensitive.

The Bottom Line

While not added directly to core ingredients, select flavors and seasonings used at Taco Bell contain significant levels of added MSG. By choosing simpler items with unflavored shells and avoiding “seasoned” menu descriptions, MSG intake can be minimized for those who wish to reduce exposure.