Incorporated in 1961, Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Berhad manufactures and distributes monosodium glutamate (MSG) under the brand, AJI-NO-MOTO® and other seasoning products.

Ajinomoto is involved in two business segments: consumer and industrial. In the consumer segment, it offers MSG products and flavoured seasoning such as AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami seasoning and chicken stock. In the industrial segment, processed food producers of instant noodles and sauces purchase seasoning products from Ajinomoto in bulk. Ajinomoto also plans to launch food products in the future.

Ajinomoto has strong brand equity in Malaysia. Sometimes, Ajinomoto is referred to as and is synonymous with MSG. At the same time, MSG may also give Ajinomoto some negative publicity and associated with ‘Chinese Restaurant Syndrome’. However, the addition of MSG to food is ‘generally recognised as safe’ by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration.

However undeserved, MSG still carries an unhealthy reputation among certain individuals.  So does the seasoning still have