Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIngredientsWhat Does ‘Natural’ Mean?Safe or Unsafe?Verdict
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Ingredients
What Does ‘Natural’ Mean?
Safe or Unsafe?
Verdict
Natural flavor is the fourth most common ingredient in food products, after salt, water, and sugar.You have probably seen it listed on ingredient labels for food and beverage items before and wondered what “natural flavor” actually means.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determines what should be labeled as a “natural flavor” based on a specific set of guidelines.In this article, learn more about natural flavors, including whether natural flavors are bad for you or not.
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Ingredients in Natural Flavor
There can be countless ingredients in what is termed “natural flavor.” To understand why this is, you need to know the definition of natural flavor.
Which contains flavor that is originally derived from a:
This product must have the primary function of flavoring food rather than providing nutritional value.
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What Does the ‘Natural’ in ‘Natural Flavoring’ Mean?
Based on the FDA’s definition above, the “natural” in “natural flavoring” refers to the source of the flavor. The source must be a naturally occurring item, such as plant matter, meat, or dairy.
Note that the FDA does not define the term “natural,” and there is no legal definition.
Popular Foods and Drinks That Contain Natural FlavorThe following is an incomplete list of popular food and beverage items that frequently contain natural flavor in the ingredient list:SodasSparkling watersEnergy drinksChipsSoupsCandiesPremade fruit and vegetable juicesPackaged smoothies
Popular Foods and Drinks That Contain Natural Flavor
The following is an incomplete list of popular food and beverage items that frequently contain natural flavor in the ingredient list:SodasSparkling watersEnergy drinksChipsSoupsCandiesPremade fruit and vegetable juicesPackaged smoothies
The following is an incomplete list of popular food and beverage items that frequently contain natural flavor in the ingredient list:
Are Natural Flavors Safe or Unsafe?
According to the FDA, natural flavoring and any substance added to food before labeling must be safe.
Remember that natural flavoring can still be highlyprocessed, even though its source is based in nature. It frequently contains artificial and synthetic chemicals, which are used in the processing.
Artificial Flavor vs. Natural Flavor
Artificial flavors and natural flavors are different.
The FDA also defines “artificial flavor” within the Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. Like natural flavors, artificial flavors have the purpose of flavoring rather than providing nutritional value. However, artificial flavors arenotderived from natural sources such as plants, meat, or dairy.
Since both natural and artificial flavors go through lengthy synthetic chemical processing, neither option is “healthy,” despite natural flavors coming from sources of nature.
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Are Natural Flavors Vegetarian?
Natural flavors are not always vegetarian. According to the FDA, natural flavors can be derived from meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, and dairy.
If you have doubts about whether natural flavoring in an ingredient list is vegetarian, look for a vegetarian symbol on the packaging.
The FDA does not mandate the labeling of plant-based products.
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Are Natural Flavors Gluten Free?
Most, but not all, natural flavors aregluten-free.In some cases, they may be derived from gluten-containing items such as wheat, barley, rye, malt, brewer’s yeast, and more.
If the FDA-approved product contains wheat, this will be included in an allergen statement.However, it could still include malt, for which the FDA does not require disclosure. In that case, look for a gluten-free symbol on the product.
If the product lists natural flavoring but doesnothave a gluten-free symbol, it may not be safe to eat. Try contacting the manufacturer for clarification.
What About Organic Natural Flavor?
Organic natural flavor is different from natural flavor because it has a more rigorous set of requirements.
As of December 27, 2019, if a product is certifiedorganic, it must contain only “organic natural flavors” when commercially available. However, “natural flavors” are acceptable when the organic form of a specific flavor is unavailable.
Verdict: Natural Flavor Safety
The FDA defines natural flavor to ensure it is safe for consumption before approving its use in FDA-approved products. The FEMA GRAS program researches the safety of thousands of natural flavors.
It is safe to consume natural flavors. Remember that the FDA assesses what qualifies as a natural flavoring for flavor, not nutritional value.
Summary
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Goodman MJ.The “natural” vs. “Natural flavors” conflict in food labeling: a regulatory viewpoint.Food Drug Law J. 2017;72(1):78-102. PMID: 29140655.Food and Drug Administration.CFR - code of federal regulations title 21.United States Food and Drug Administration.Generally recognized as safe (GRAS).Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States (FEMA).About FEMA GRAS program.Gluten Intolerance Group.Are “natural flavors” a concern if I’m gluten free?National Celiac Association.Are natural flavorings gluten free?Organic Trade Association (OTA).USDA organic flavors required when commercially available.United States Department of Agriculture.USDA organic.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Goodman MJ.The “natural” vs. “Natural flavors” conflict in food labeling: a regulatory viewpoint.Food Drug Law J. 2017;72(1):78-102. PMID: 29140655.Food and Drug Administration.CFR - code of federal regulations title 21.United States Food and Drug Administration.Generally recognized as safe (GRAS).Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States (FEMA).About FEMA GRAS program.Gluten Intolerance Group.Are “natural flavors” a concern if I’m gluten free?National Celiac Association.Are natural flavorings gluten free?Organic Trade Association (OTA).USDA organic flavors required when commercially available.United States Department of Agriculture.USDA organic.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Goodman MJ.The “natural” vs. “Natural flavors” conflict in food labeling: a regulatory viewpoint.Food Drug Law J. 2017;72(1):78-102. PMID: 29140655.Food and Drug Administration.CFR - code of federal regulations title 21.United States Food and Drug Administration.Generally recognized as safe (GRAS).Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States (FEMA).About FEMA GRAS program.Gluten Intolerance Group.Are “natural flavors” a concern if I’m gluten free?National Celiac Association.Are natural flavorings gluten free?Organic Trade Association (OTA).USDA organic flavors required when commercially available.United States Department of Agriculture.USDA organic.
Goodman MJ.The “natural” vs. “Natural flavors” conflict in food labeling: a regulatory viewpoint.Food Drug Law J. 2017;72(1):78-102. PMID: 29140655.
Food and Drug Administration.CFR - code of federal regulations title 21.
United States Food and Drug Administration.Generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States (FEMA).About FEMA GRAS program.
Gluten Intolerance Group.Are “natural flavors” a concern if I’m gluten free?
National Celiac Association.Are natural flavorings gluten free?
Organic Trade Association (OTA).USDA organic flavors required when commercially available.
United States Department of Agriculture.USDA organic.
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