Health Discussions > SayNOtoMSG.com :: To Your Health - Dedicated MSG Section
Olive Garden Msg reaction
Sassafras:
--- Quote from: john2729 on June 02, 2011, 02:33:05 PM ---I suffer from migraines from MSG. I recently visited Olive Garden with my family, I usually get the mixed grill which I never usually have a problem with. Last night I ordered chicken gorganzolla and today I have a terrible migraine. I called Olive garden but they said they don't use MSG. I'm pretty sure it was the chicken gorganzolla after so many attacks you can usually pinpoint the cause.
--- End quote ---
John,
I would like to thank you, also, for joining MCF. [welcome]
Mick brings ups some very good questions and I would like to add a question. Does the Chicken Gorganzolla have a lot of Parmesan Cheese? In my research, I have found that some websites claim Parmesan Cheese makes the list of foods that may cause reactions. Though, when I eat at Olive Garden I get Parmesan Cheese added to my salad and entree with no side effects. Since any cheese is processed, I would imagine eating a lot of it could cause reactions. Gram, who started this thread, reacted to an entree heavy in Parmesan. I haven't had this dish yet, so I can't say if I would react.
Thank you again for joining.
Warmly,
Sassafras
Sassafras:
This is a letter I sent via their own website to Olive Garden. We wait expectantly for a reply
Mick
We have a forum called misfitcityforum.com and have a section on MSG. We have had a couple of posters that have complained of having reactions to your food, in spite of us stating that you do not use MSG except in your soups. If you go to http://www.misfitcityforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=886.new#new You may read them yourself. By the way, we are not sure which restaurant these events occurred. Would you be willing to share the ingredients of a dish called Chicken Gorganzolla? We could not find it on your website.
Please respond as we are still claiming your restaurant is the only chain restaurant that we know of that is safe for those suffering from MSG and other excitotoxins.
warmly and still loving your food,
Mick Zellar
Sassafras:
Mick and I have not got a reply from Olive Garden's yet, so I messaged them again. The following is my request for answers:
I picked a location because I had to, so I picked the closest to me.
I am concerned about some of your entrees having MSG (monosodium glutamate) or other excitotoxins. These excitotoxins include Hydrolyzed Protein, Autolyzed Yeast, Sodium Caseinate, and Carrageenan.
I have ate at Olive Garden's in the past and I have not had a reaction. But, what has alarmed me is there are people that HAVE HAD reacts when eating some of the various entrees serviced. Are there some entrees that are safe to eat and some I should stay away from during my next visit?
Any information would be helpful.
Warmly,
Sassafras
Hopefully this will elicit a response.
_____________
Just Me
Sass
misfitguy:
I sent two emails to Olive Garden without response. Sassafras did finally get a response and hopefully she will share it with us. Olive Garden has admitted to using hydrolyzed protein as a flavor enhancer in this email and warned her that because they outside sources for some of their dishes, they couldn't say for sure what dishes were safe for her. She also found in her research that Olive Garden has contracted with a consulting company to increase the their profits. One of the things they have done is to reduce the number of regional plants for the processing of foods. This increases the time foods are on the shelf between processing and serving, which always causes the use of excitotoxins such as hydrolyzed vegetable proteins to mask the package and age tastes that occur with these sort of distribution/processing decisions.
Mick
Sassafras:
I received the long waited email from Olive Garden's on July 14, 2011 and Mick and I have slowed down enough for me to post it on the Forum.
Quote from Olive Garden's Guest Relations:
Dear Sassafras:
Thank you for taking the time to contact us at olivegarden.com.
Olive Garden does not add MSG to any food products. However, we cannot, with complete accuracy say that MSG is not added by our suppliers to any products we purchase. Additionally, our products may contain hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP). Hydrolyzed vegetable protein is used as a flavor enhancer and individuals who are sensitive to MSG may also react to HVP. Particularly when it comes to adverse or life-threatening reactions, we are unable to recommend any menu items with the assurances we both need. We empathize with the challenges presented to you when you weigh decisions regarding dining out.
If Guest Relations can be of further assistance, please write us again through olivegarden.com (www.olivegarden.com/company/contact_us/ ) or call us at 800-331-2729. We look forward to serving you with Hospitaliano at any of our Olive Garden restaurants.
Jibri
Olive Garden Guest Relations
I am not happy with this news. I am actually a little peeved. I have always liked the idea there was a restaurant out there that catered to everyone. Now, Olive Garden's has fallen in line with other restaurants doing the MSG-laden two-step. Yee-haw!!
The only thing I can offer to our readers is, if you eat at Olive Garden's you may get an MSG/excitotoxin reaction.
If you do take a chance and eat at Olive Garden's, then I ask that you please let other readers know what you had to eat and if you reacted to the meal.
My dish is Shrimp Scampi with Alfredo Sauce over Linguini or Angel Hair Pasta. I have the salad before the meal. I have reacted to the salads due to not removing the croutons. My bad!! My reactions are mild - a head rush before the main course. I don't get migraines the next day so I know the Shrimp Scampi and the Alfredo is ok. Now, if someone takes my advice and gets this dish, please let us know if you react. People do react differently than others. We have to stick together and help everyone out that we can.
Mick reminded me that I do eat some of his Chicken Marsala on Angel Hair Pasta. I don't react to this dish either. Again, if you eat this dish, please share your results.
Please share any other news or results you have about your Olive Garden experience.
I hope this information is helpful despite it's disheartening news.
___________
Just Me
Sass
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