Ingredient
Natural Flavourings
What is Natural Flavourings?
Natural flavourings are substances used to enhance the taste or aroma of food products. They are derived from natural sources like plants, animals, or fermentation processes, and are processed to retain the natural essence.
They are commonly used in food production to improve the sensory profile of a product, giving it a specific taste without adding nutritional value. While they are generally considered more acceptable than artificial flavourings, the health impact can vary as the specific composition and processing methods are often not detailed on labels.
When you see 'natural flavourings' on a label, it usually indicates an effort to provide flavor from what is perceived as more wholesome sources compared to synthetic alternatives, though the exact ingredients remain unspecified.
Commonly found in: snacks, beverages, desserts, baked goods, dairy products
What to watch
- The specific ingredients within natural flavourings are often not disclosed, which can be a concern for individuals with allergies.
- Processing methods might strip away beneficial compounds present in the source material.
Benefits
- Natural flavourings offer enhanced taste from what are considered more 'natural' sources compared to synthetic flavourings.
Natural flavourings are deemed GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) when used as intended under good manufacturing practices.
There is limited direct research on natural flavourings due to the variety in sources and formulations, but they are commonly perceived as safer than artificial options.
The vegan status of natural flavourings depends on their source, which may be plant or animal-derived.
Sources: COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
Scout's take
Proprietary flavor blend; can hide dozens of synthetic aroma chemicals and phthalate carriers under FDA trade-secret rules.
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