Requires notice to public of use of monosodium glutamate in food be given by restaurants and other places where food is prepared/cooked/offered for sale; enforcement

3 Co-sponsors

• Ruben Diaz
• Liz Krueger
• George Onorato

Title of bill

An act to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring notice to the public of the use of certain additives

Provisions

This bill adds a new section 396-gg to the General Business Law which would require that any restaurant or other place where food containing monosodium glutamate is prepared or cooked and offered for sale to the public must give notice of the use of such additive, either on the menu or in some other place likely to be seen and understood by each customer.

Justification

Medical researchers have documented that upwards of 20-50% of the general public is susceptible to Monosodium Glutamate Syndrome (MSGS). The most common symptoms are nausea and headaches which manifest themselves several hours after the ingestion of MSG and last from one half to two days. When coupled with alcohol many people suffer severe pains. While MSG Syndrome is widely known as Chinese Restaurant Syndrome, the use of MSG is by no means confined to Chinese restaurants, but is widely used in food preparation.

A published posted notice, would put patrons susceptible to MSGS on notice that the food is prepared with MSG and prompt the patron to order those items that are prepared without MSG. Both the general public and the restaurant and catering establishments should benefit from the spared nausea and headaches, while the food establishments will be assured of the continued patronage.

Fiscal impact

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.