# Controversial Additive Shakers San Francisco's Mission Chinese Food is Offering an MSG Option By Alyson Wyers | Published 2014-10-07 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/msg-option References: [refinery29](http://www.refinery29.com/2014/10/75730/msg-shakers-mission-chinese-food) & [twitter](https://twitter.com/Missionstfood/status/518132336181780480) As an ingredient, this additive doesn't have the best reputation and [Mission Chinese Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mission-vegan) is throwing fuel on the fire by offering an [MSG](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/msg-based-seasoning) option in shaker form. The San Francisco Chinese food chain recently tweeted a picture of their new MSG shakers so people can add it if they choose. This is just one of the latest controversial stunts by the restaurant, who also embarked on a journey to become the most hated restaurant on [Yelp](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chefs-hall) and made a number of anti-gluten-free remarks. Despite a bad rap, there are no proven health effects caused by MSG, which actually occurs naturally in a number of foods. Mission Chinese Food's "authentic" MSG option clearly sides with this point of view. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 16% | Activity: 28% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **MSG Shakers:** Opportunity to capitalize on the controversial reputation of MSG by offering it in shaker form for consumers to add to their meals. - **Controversial Stunts:** Disruptive innovation opportunity for restaurants to generate buzz and attention through controversial actions or remarks. - **Anti-gluten-free Remarks:** Potential for disruptive innovation by catering to consumers who are against the gluten-free trend and prefer traditional ingredients. ### Where This Applies - **Food and Beverage:** Opportunity for the food industry to embrace and market controversial ingredients like MSG to cater to specific consumer preferences. - **Restaurant and Hospitality:** Innovation opportunity for restaurants to use controversial stunts as a marketing tactic to generate attention and engage with customers. - **Alternative Diets:** Innovation potential in the alternative diets industry by embracing traditional ingredients and catering to consumers who are not following gluten-free trends. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Everyday MSG Seasonings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/msg-based-seasoning.md) - [MSG-Infused Martinis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/msg-martini.md) - [Brussels Sprouts Seasoning Mixes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-honest-umami-sprout-mix.md) - [Flavor Enhancer Sauces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/umami-everything.md) - [MSG-Spiked Summer Seltzers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-seltzer.md) - [Hotpot Soup Base Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hotpot-soup-base.md) - [Gourmet QSR Menu Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shake-shack-canada.md) - [Modern Chinese Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modern-chinese-dish.md) - [Ramen-Seasoning Fry Toppers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ramen-mcshaker-fries.md)