Food additives have been around for hundreds, maybe thousands of years. They have been used for the most diverse purposes: to preserve food to prevent it from spoiling, to enhance its flavor or for the simple purpose of making the food more presentable to those who will consume it. But the most important food additive is what is called MSG. This food additive, whose name is short for monosodium glutamate, has been present in the United States for more than 60 years. This is a food additive that is known to kill, which is why it should be removed from the market in the first place, or at least be strictly regulated by the FDA. Some may not care about this topic because they think there is nothing to worry about, but MSG is not something to laugh about. Before anything too radical happens, the first rule of engaging the enemy must be followed; learn more about the enemy, in this case, MSG. There are things you need to know about the history and origin of monosodium glutamate, the chemical composition, the risks of having it in the body, such as diseases related to consumption, the people who want to keep it on the market (yes, there are people who want store these things), foods that contain MSG is a solution to the many problems it causes. With these key points in mind, let's explore the origins of MSG and the problems associated with it. MSG, itself, is a type of sodium salt of glutamic acid, a naturally occurring amino acid. It is not simply "salt" like kitchen salt, but something completely different. In terms of appearance, it resembles a white, powdery substance. While it technically doesn't have a melting point, it does decompose once heated. But this assumes that it has not been added to any food beforehand. The molecular formula of MSG is C5H8NNaO4. There are five parts... half of the paper... Web. September 28, 2011.Lee, Pamela. "MSG: For You and Me?" www.Moscowfood.coop. Crown Publishers, Inc, 1997. Web. September 27, 2011. Linnell, John. “Hidden Names and Symptoms of MSG Poisoning.” Asparteme.ca. Canadian Internet Registration Authority, Feb. 11, 2011. Web. Oct. 28, 2011.Offer, Avi. “The cover-up of the hidden MSG.” NaturalNews.com. GoDaddy.com, Inc., December 12, 2008. Web. September 30, 2011. Romanowski, Perry. “MSG Characteristics of MSG.” Science.Org. Proxy Domains, Inc., Jan. 14, 2010. Web. Oct. 27, 2011. Samuels, Jack. "History of the invention and use of monosodium glutamate." truthinlabeling.com. Truth in Labeling Campaign, February 19, 1999. Web. September 27, 2011.Thompson, Caroline. “Alternative to Monosodium Glutamate.” www.Livestrong.com. Demand Media Inc., September 2, 2011. Web. October 3, 2011.Zeller, Mick. “FDA Regulations.” Say no to MSG. GoDaddy.com, Inc, September 22, 2010. Web. October 27 2011.