Ajinomoto

Why in news?

• The Delhi High Court has halted the release of a film titled ‘Ajinomoto’, after a Japan-based seasoning manufacturer claimed infringement of its 113-year-old registered trademark ‘AJI-NO-MOTO’.

About Ajinomoto:

• Ajinomoto is the trade name for Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), used as a taste enhancer in food.
• The trademark “AJI-NO-MOTO” in Japanese characters was first registered in Japan in the year 1909 and subsequently, in English characters in 1964.
• The makers first entered the Indian market in 1954 with its MSG product bearing Plaintiff’s trademark.
• Since then, it is a household name in the Indian market and the AJI-NO-MOTO trademark is directly associated with the Japanese manufacturer.

About Monosodium Glutamate (MSG):

• Monosodium glutamate (MSG), also known as sodium glutamate, is the sodium salt of glutamic acid.
• MSG is found naturally in some foods including tomatoes and cheese in this glutamic acid form.
• It is also used in cooking as a flavour enhancer that intensifies the meaty, savoury flavour of food.
• The U.S Food and Drug Administration have given MSG as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) designation.
  • It is a popular belief that MSG can cause headaches and other feelings of discomfort, known as “Chinese restaurant syndrome”.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Monosodium Glutamate, sometimes seen in news, is used as:

(a) A stabilising oxidiser in crackers

(b) A flavor enhancer added to foods

(c) An antiseptic in medicine

(d) A source of sulfur for plant nutrition and improving crop yield

Answer