Health assessment of glutamate

Glutamate is the collective name for L-glutamic acid and its salts, which are used in food production as flavour enhancers (E 620 - 625). They are among the food additives authorised throughout the EU.

According to the Food Labelling Ordinance, packaged foods to which glutamate has been added must bear the words ‘flavour enhancer’, followed by the sales description, i.e. the name of the substance or the corresponding E number. The labelling obligation also applies to canteens and restaurants, where a corresponding note is required on the menu. This gives consumers the opportunity to avoid foods labelled in this way and actively protect themselves against hypersensitivity reactions caused by glutamate.