INS 621 is the code for monosodium glutamate
Adds savoury depth. Standard in instant noodles, soups, seasoning sachets, chips and Chinese-style sauces. Usually produced by bacterial fermentation of plant carbohydrate.
- What it does
- Boosts savoury flavour A flavour enhancer
- Also printed as
- MSG · Ajinomoto
- Vegetarian?
- Depends on the maker Source not stated on the label
- In the Zabel score
- 6 of the 20 additive points Method 1.0.0
- In our catalogue
- 32 packs List it in their ingredients
Is INS 621 vegetarian?
It depends on the maker. INS 621 can be made from plant or animal sources and the label does not say which, so the code tells you nothing either way. The green or brown mark on the pack is the declaration to go by.
| Food category | Share | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Noodles and pasta | 58% | |
| Chips and crisps | 13% | |
| Namkeen and savoury snacks | 8% | |
| Sauces and condiments | 8% | |
| Other snacks | 8% | |
| Everything else | 4% |
Counted from the 32 packs in Zabel's catalogue that list INS 621, 24 of which have a food category so far. Counted 4 Nov 2026.
What does the evidence say about INS 621?
We grade an additive by the evidence about it, not by whether it sounds like a chemical, and we make no claim about whether a pack complies with FSSAI rules.
EFSA's 2017 re-evaluation set a group ADI of 30 mg/kg body weight for glutamates, noting some people report headache at single doses well above normal food levels. Controlled trials have not reproduced 'Chinese restaurant syndrome' reliably. The practical point for a label reader is different: MSG contributes sodium, and foods built around it tend to be high in salt overall.
Does Zabel mark INS 621 down?
Yes, by 6 points. The additives part of the score starts at 20, and each code takes off a fixed amount set by the strength of the evidence about it, not by the fact that it is an additive (method 1.0.0). Read the method.
Questions people search
What is INS 621?
INS 621 is the code for monosodium glutamate, a flavour enhancer. Adds savoury depth. Standard in instant noodles, soups, seasoning sachets, chips and Chinese-style sauces. Usually produced by bacterial fermentation of plant carbohydrate.
Is INS 621 vegetarian?
It depends on the maker. INS 621 can be made from plant or animal sources and the label does not say which, so the code tells you nothing either way. The green or brown mark on the pack is the declaration to go by.
What does the evidence say about INS 621?
EFSA's 2017 re-evaluation set a group ADI of 30 mg/kg body weight for glutamates, noting some people report headache at single doses well above normal food levels. Controlled trials have not reproduced 'Chinese restaurant syndrome' reliably. The practical point for a label reader is different: MSG contributes sodium, and foods built around it tend to be high in salt overall.
Does Zabel mark INS 621 down?
Yes, by 6 points. The additives part of the score starts at 20, and each code takes off a fixed amount set by the strength of the evidence about it, not by the fact that it is an additive (method 1.0.0).
What other names is INS 621 printed under?
Packs also print it as MSG and Ajinomoto, or as the bare number 621 in brackets after the ingredient.
Sources
- 01 Re-evaluation of glutamic acid (E 620), sodium glutamate (E 621) and related salts as food additives EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources, 2017
- 02 Evaluations of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) WHO / FAO, 2024
- 03 Zabel catalogue - pack counts, food categories and the codes printed alongside 4 Nov 2026
Entry updated 19 Sep 2026 · Not reviewed by a dietitian yet · Report an error on this page
Point the camera at the pack.
Zabel reads every INS code on it, shows the score, and shows the working.