Vanilla Extract

Image: Open Food Facts (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Common questions

Is Vanilla Extract healthy?

Vanilla Extract scores 85/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — one of the stronger scores in Scout's catalog. This product is minimally processed, consisting primarily of vanilla bean extractives, water, and alcohol.

How processed is Vanilla Extract?

Vanilla Extract is NOVA Group 1: Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods.

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Vanilla Extract

Costco
85 Excellent

Analysis updated June 2026 · How Scout scores

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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 0
Harmful ingredients 0
Owned by Costco
Category Food Additives
Summary

This product is minimally processed, consisting primarily of vanilla bean extractives, water, and alcohol. It contains no artificial additives, colors, or flavors, making it a clean and natural choice for flavoring. The simplicity and purity of the ingredients contribute to its high rating.

Key ingredients 3

Vanilla Bean Extractives
Neutral

Vanilla bean extractives are derived from vanilla beans and provide the characteristic flavor of vanilla. The extraction process typically involves soaking the beans in alcohol to release the flavor compounds. This ingredient is generally considered neutral as it does not provide significant nutritional benefits or risks.

Water
Neutral

Water is used as a solvent in the extraction process of vanilla bean extractives. It is a neutral ingredient with no direct nutritional impact. Water is essential for the extraction process but does not contribute to the nutritional profile of the product.

See more about Water →
Alcohol
Neutral

Alcohol is used as a solvent to extract flavors from vanilla beans, typically at a concentration of 35%. It is a neutral ingredient in this context, primarily serving as a carrier for flavor compounds. While alcohol can have health risks when consumed in large quantities, the amount in vanilla extract is minimal and primarily serves a functional purpose.

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Processing

Group 1 · Minimally processed

Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods

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