"Chinese restaurant syndrome" is caused by

A. Argemone mexicana
B. Amanita phalloides
C. Lathyrus sativus
D. Monosodium glutamate.


Answer: D. Monosodium glutamate.


Explanation: 
Monosodium glutamate: (MSG)


                                                   

• Synonyms: Ajinomoto, Accent, Vetsin.
• Monosodium glutamate is a flavoring agent in foods, especially Chinese food, sausages, canned soup, etc.
• Ingestion of large quantities of MSG is said to cause the Chinese restaurant syndrome.
• Features include burning sensation and numbness of face, trunk, and upper limbs, flushing, chest pain, headache, nausea, and rarely bronchospasm and angioedema.
• Symptoms resolve on their own, and rarely last for more than half to one hour.