MSG: can you believe this?

I saw a legal notice of a class action suit in which anyone who indirectly purchased MSG or nucleotides between 1983 and 1999 is a Class Member (probably just about everyone in America):

MSG and nucleotides are food flavor enhancers used in dehydrated soups and gravies; canned meat; sausage, prepared meals; tomato sauce and ketchup; mayonnaise; snack foods (mix in salt); soy sauce, crab, prawn, fish and shellfish (preserved); Asian cuisine; prepared vegetables; and a variety of other products.

Another scheme for lawyers to get rich?

And you're surprised how? Hell, my wife got a notice that she was eligable to be included in a class action suit because a med she used to take increases the risk of developing type II Diabetes (the med tends to make you fat). The thing that gets me is that the insert the pharmacist is supposed to include with all meds stated this unusually clearly considering the warnings seem to be writen by the same people who write stereo instructions! So what are they suing over? Was someone supposed to come out from the drug company to the house of each person who ever gets put on this drug and tell them in person?

[David M. Bueker]

Remember this: lawyers file suits on the basis that everyone in the country is a flaming idiot and not competent to make their own choices.

That being said, I am not surprised.

I would not be trying to collect. If the lawsuit is successful, the best you can hope for is something between $10 and $100 U.S. We have been notified that class suits against companies that we have stock in have been successful (the latest being Nortel), and when we checked them out, it would cost more money to file the claim, than what we could collect.

So just what is the alleged harm supposed to be, for which they seek damages from the court?

-Paul W.

Here's the pitch they are making in New Jersey, Paul:

It is alleged that many food products sold in New Jersey are mislabeled concerning the MSG that they contain, i.e., there are a number of products that claim "No MSG", "No MSG added", or "No added MSG" on their labels when they actually contain MSG. Such claims are generally made when the MSG is present in one of over 40 ingredients with names that provide no reference to MSG. Examples are hydrolyzed soy protein, autolyzed yeast, yeast extract, calcium caseinate, gelatin, and whey protein.

MSG is a commonly used name for the active ingredient in monosodium glutamate, (i.e.,processed free glutamic acid), that causes adverse reactions in over 25% of the U.S. population and, based on animal studies, is believed to cause brain lesions and neuroendocrine disorders, including obesity.

Throughout the United States, many bottled, frozen, bagged, or canned processed products, even those labeled organic, contain MSG which is most often used to enhance flavor. It is prevalent in processed soups, salad dressings, and luncheon meats. MSG can also be found in some vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and supplements.

Individuals with recognized or unrecognized sensitivities to the MSG food additive may experience adverse reactions to both low and high doses of MSG, depending on their MSG tolerances. Common MSG adverse reactions include migraine headaches, seizures, heart irregularities, skin rashes, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and more. In addition, MSG may have long term adverse health effects.

Due to the false advertising and labeling by these product manufacturers, many MSG-sensitive consumers are buying and ingesting products that contain a form of MSG. Since the State of New Jersey has strong consumer fraud and protection laws, many legal professionals are ready to support and defend those who have been adversely affected by these mislabeled products.

Lawyers and Settlements.[/list]

I would not be trying to collect.

You can't anyway. Damages are going to various charities.

I would not be trying to collect.

You can't anyway. Damages are going to various charities.

Which will , no doubt, get 10 cents on the dollar, the other 90 going to the attorneys.

You know, it's the 95% of lawyers that give the rest a bad name.