Is MSG / Ajinomoto safe during pregnancy?

Prepared & street food

Not recommended in pregnancy (Indian label warning)

FSSAI requires foods with added monosodium glutamate to carry a warning that they are not recommended for pregnant women.[1]

What official sources say

FSSAI: Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 - Compendium Version VIII, Reg. 9 (warnings/declarations)

  • contains added MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR INFANTS BELOW -12 MONTHS AND PREGNANT WOMEN[1]

Related general rules

ICMR-NIN: Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024

  • Monosodium glutamate is another source of sodium in processed foods, so its consumption should be limited. (p. 74) (general-population advice, not specific to pregnancy)[2]

Sources

  1. FSSAI: Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 - Compendium Version VIII, Reg. 9 (warnings/declarations) · fssai.gov.in. Statutory regulation published in the Gazette of India; quoted.
  2. ICMR-NIN: Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024 · nin.res.in. Printed page 74. Paraphrased and cited by printed page; the text is not reproduced.

Sources checked 26 September 2026.

Quotes are checked word for word against each source page, and paraphrases against the original text. Official bodies are named as sources only: none of them reviewed or endorses this page.

Educational information, not medical advice. Your own doctor or midwife may advise differently for you — follow their advice.