Quinine And Natural Flavors

Quinine is a bitter compound that occurs naturally in the bark of cinchona trees, native to South America. It is extracted from the bark and purified for use as a flavoring agent. Natural flavors are complex mixtures derived from natural sources like fruits, vegetables, or spices, used to impart specific tastes.

Quinine is primarily used to give tonic water its characteristic bitter taste. Natural flavors are added to a wide variety of processed foods and beverages to enhance or impart specific taste profiles. They are used in everything from baked goods and candies to dairy products and drinks.

Quinine is permitted as a food additive in the U.S. for flavoring purposes. The FDA has established limits for its use in beverages. While quinine can cause side effects like nausea, headache, and skin rashes in sensitive individuals, these are rare at the low levels found in food. JECFA has evaluated quinine and established an acceptable daily intake. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also evaluated quinine.