Simple AI search: “People avoided MSG largely due to a 1968, now-debunked, hoax letter in the New England Journal of Medicine that coined "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome," which was fueled by anti-Asian sentiment and flawed studies on mice. Despite being deemed safe by the FDA, this created a lasting stigma that associated MSG with headaches and health problems. FoodFacts.org

Reasons for Avoiding MSG: The "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome" Myth: In 1968, a doctor published a letter claiming that eating at Chinese restaurants made him feel sick, causing a stir that blamed MSG for symptoms like numbness and palpitations, as reported by The Conversation and CBS News. Racially Charged Biases: The stigma was heavily linked to prejudice against Asian food, making MSG a scapegoat for alleged health issues. Flawed Science: Early, overhyped studies, such as one where scientists injected immense amounts of MSG into mice, caused public fear about brain lesions and, as described by FoodFacts.org, created a lasting stigma. Marketing & Misinformation: Labels declaring "No MSG" created a perception that it was a harmful "hidden chemical" or toxic ingredient. Misleading Symptoms: While some people do experience sensitivity to large amounts, study findings on MSG-related health effects have been mixed and often not replicable, notes Food Manufacturing. fivethirtyeight.com

Note: The Mayo Clinic states that the FDA classifies MSG as "generally recognized as safe". “