Old Bay is a classic seasoning that has been around for more than 75 years. It has traditionally been used for seafood dishes but its use has greatly expanded in modern times. You’ll now find it as a seasoning in/on foods like fries, sunflower seeds, veggies, nuts, popcorn, burgers, soups, and much more.
Given the popularity of Old Bay, many people wonder if it has added MSG. This is especially true since it is common for seasonings to contain MSG.
Here we will discuss whether Old Bay has added MSG. Let’s get into the information!
Old Bay & Added MSG
Added MSG must be listed in the ingredients if a product contains it, according to the FDA. It will appear as “Monosodium Glutamate” and not its abbreviated name of MSG.
A review of Old Bay’s ingredients (see below) confirms that it does not have added MSG:
Old Bay Ingredients: Celery salt (salt, celery seed), spices (including red pepper and black pepper), and paprika.
Old Bay also confirms on its website that its seasoning is free of added MSG. They state the following:
OLD BAY Seasoning is Kosher with no added MSG.
Furthermore, Old Bay confirmed via Twitter that its seasoning has no added MSG:
@Beer_steak_life There is no MSG in our Old Bay Seasoning
— OLD BAY (@OLDBAYSeasoning) October 20, 2014
Summary
Old Bay does not have added MSG. This includes all seasonings listed in the table below:
| Old Bay Seasoning | Added MGS? (Yes or No) | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | No | Celery Salt (Salt, Celery Seed), Spices (Including Red Pepper and Black Pepper), and Paprika. |
| 30% Less Sodium | No | Spices (Including Red Pepper, Black Pepper), Salt & Paprika. |
| Lemon & Herb Seasoning | No | Salt, Spices and Herbs (Including Paprika, Celery Seed, Red Pepper, Bay Leaves), Citric Acid, Calcium Silicate (to Make Free Flowing), Lemon Juice Concentrate & Lemon Oil. |
| Garlic & Herb Seasoning | No | Garlic, Salt, Spices and Herbs (Including Celery Seed, Red Pepper, and Bay Leaves), Paprika, Modified Corn Starch, and Natural Flavors. |
| Blackened Seasoning | No | Spices (Including Paprika, Celery Seed, Red Pepper), Salt & Sugar. |
| Hot Seasoning | No | Celery Salt (Salt, Celery Seed), Spices (Including Paprika, Black Pepper) & Red Pepper. |
Sources:
oldbay.com
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-with-msg
image credit – artondra hall/flickr
