Natural Flavouring

Natural flavouring is a substance derived from plants or animals that is used to give food a specific taste or smell. It can be extracted using methods like distillation, solvent extraction, or pressing. These flavourings are often complex mixtures of many different chemical compounds.

Manufacturers add natural flavouring to enhance or impart desirable tastes and aromas in a wide variety of processed foods. It is commonly found in baked goods like cookies and biscuits, confectionery such as chocolate, and savory snacks like chips and pretzels.

In the U.S., natural flavouring substances are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA or are approved food additives. International bodies like JECFA have evaluated many flavouring substances. At typical consumption levels, they are not associated with adverse health effects. While generally considered safe, the complexity of natural flavourings means individual sensitivities are possible, though rare.