Natural And Artificial Flavors And Colors

Natural flavors are substances derived from plants or animals that provide flavor, while artificial flavors are human-made chemical mixtures designed to mimic natural flavors. Colors are substances added to food to change or enhance its visual appearance, and can be derived from natural sources or be synthetically produced.

Manufacturers add flavors to enhance or create specific tastes in food products, making them more appealing. Colors are used to make food visually attractive, to identify flavors, or to restore color lost during processing. They are commonly found in a wide range of processed foods like candy, baked goods, and beverages.

In the US, both natural and artificial flavors are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) or approved food additives. Food colors, especially synthetic dyes, are also regulated by the FDA. The FDA revoked the use of Red 3 for food in January 2025, with manufacturers having until January 2027 to comply. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out several petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Citrus Red 2, and Orange B. Some studies have explored a potential link between synthetic food colors and hyperactivity in some children, though evidence has been mixed and further research is ongoing.