Salt And Natural Flavors

This ingredient combines sodium chloride, a mineral obtained from mines or evaporated seawater, with "natural flavors." Natural flavors are complex mixtures of substances taken from natural sources like plants, animals, or microbes, and are made through processes such as extraction or fermentation.

Manufacturers use this combination primarily to enhance the taste of foods. Salt provides a basic savory taste and can also act as a preservative, while natural flavors are added to give specific tastes, such as fruit, spice, or meat flavors, to a wide range of processed foods.

Salt is an essential nutrient, but the FDA recommends limiting sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day. High sodium intake is linked to increased blood pressure in some individuals. Natural flavors are approved by the FDA as food additives and are generally recognized as safe (GRAS). While the exact composition of natural flavors is proprietary, JECFA has evaluated many individual flavor substances.