We have heard some critics deploring the English proficiency of ABAC graduates but there are in-stances of brilliant perfomers who uphold the quality of education provided here as in this important article entitled "Strong Message on MSG" by Onsiri Pravattiyagul (class of 95) who is well launched in her successful journalistic career. Ed.
STRONG MESSAGE ON MSG
Government urged to implement proposals to regulate the use of the substance
A campaign against the use of Monosodium-L-Glutamate (MSG) was launched last week by a newly founded "No MSG" group in an effort to create public awareness about its dangers.
The best way is to educate both the consumers and food producers about foods flavoured with MSG, said consumer activists.
Anti-MSG advocates told a panel discussion on MSG they had lost faith in the government, which had consistently ignored repeated proposals to regulate the use of MSG.
Public Health Minister Korn Dabbaransi appeared to have "warmly" received a petition signed by four consumer protection groups to regulate MSG use in April, but no action was taken so far.
The petition was for the state to intervene in cases of misleading labels and advertisements, and to issue a set of regulations on the quantity of MSG in food seasoning products.
"The bottom line is that MSG is dangerous and the public needs to know," said Assistant Professor Dr.Pichai Tovivich on behalf of the executive committee of the Consumers Protection Society during a r panel discussion recently on MSG.
Dr. Pichai challenged claims r made in publicity spots that MSG was made from natural ingredients. "Only a very small portion is 'natural extracts', as it is all that is needed to manufacture," he said. The most important ingredients, he added, are urea, sulphuric acid, caustic soda, and hydrochloric acid which are known to be hazardous. He said that these ingredients should be spelled out clearly on the label.
"MSG is a synthetically generated chemical," confirmed Dr. Pichai to highlight his challenge that it was made from natural ingredients.
The latest round of campaign plan to cause quite a stir with activists going door to door to make their point. In addition to plans to produce stickers and leaflets detailing the substance's dangers, they also might make their voice heard through loud speakers at food-courts around the capital. The idea of issuing "no-MSG" labels to food vendors is also being explored. "I am mortified with our consumer protection system, and there is no hope in getting support from higher authorities," said Dr.Pichai. The best tool to stop MSG consumption is public awareness, added Dr. Pichai.
Food seasonings with a high MSG content can have adverse effect on your health. Symptoms include numbness to nausea. Several research have shown that an excessive amount of MSG consumption can cause foetal deformity and miscarriage.
Dr. Pichai said he was calling out to the industry to issue a clear warning message to pregnant women. "The producers can sell and market whatever they wish, but they must be honest and reveal the ingredients as they are," said Dr. Pichai.
(Reproduced with permission ,from Outlook Section of Bangkok Post dated October 30, 2000)
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A SUCCESSFUL ALUMNA.