Never be shy about insisting on accurate information, even if it means suggesting that you go into the kitchen and read labels on the food you're ordering.  Chicken and beef that comes from processing plants may be bathed in an MSG solution (hydrolyzed protein) before being flash-frozen.  Ask the cook if he uses fresh or frozen meats.  The labels on the frozen bags of meat may list "Hydrolyzed Protein" on the ingredient label.  Many cooks simply are not aware of the names MSG is hidden under.  Remember, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, or Hydrolyzed "anything" Protein is laced with MSG.  Protect yourself!

In California, a man specifically insisted that a restaurant manager make sure his food contained no MSG because he suffered acute asthma attacks from it. He was told the soup was "safe".  Before leaving the restaurant, the man suffered an acute asthma attack which led to cardiac arrest, causing his death.  It was later determined that the soup contained "chicken base" with a high percentage of MSG.  The restaurant and owner were successfully sued by the deceased man's family.

Restaurant owners and restaurant chains would be well advised to eliminate MSG in all of its forms from their menu selections to avoid this unfortunate circumstance.  Big chains rarely take the time to properly inform their management, cooks and wait persons of the ingredients which may cause customers lethal harm, medical expenses or hospitalizations.  The restaurant in California received the kind of national publicity that no restaurant ever wants to experience!  With a little investment of time, restaurants can make certain their food products contain no MSG by checking the "Hidden Names of MSG" page, and by contacting their suppliers.  Meat processors can provide frozen beef and chicken products that haven't been bathed in Hydrolyzed Protein for less money than MSG-laced products!  Why not make your restaurant more safe for the public, and advertise it?