Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavour-enhancing food additive commonly used in the culinary world. It is a sodium salt of glutamic acid, a naturally occurring amino acid. MSG imparts a savoury umami taste to dishes, enhancing their overall flavour. It's widely employed in Asian cuisine, processed foods, and restaurant cooking. While it's considered safe for most people, some individuals may be sensitive to it and experience symptoms like headaches or nausea. Therefore, its use is regulated in some regions, and many food products now indicate when MSG is included in their ingredients.