Seasoning Natural Flavor

Natural flavors are complex mixtures derived from natural sources like fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, or animal products. They are created through processes such as extraction, distillation, or fermentation to capture specific taste and aroma profiles. These flavors are used to enhance or impart taste to foods.

Manufacturers use natural flavors to add or boost desirable tastes and aromas in a wide variety of processed foods. They are common in items like sauces, snacks, beverages, and baked goods. Their purpose is to make food more appealing to consumers.

Natural flavors are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as intended. Regulatory bodies like JECFA have evaluated many flavor compounds. While generally considered safe, the exact composition of natural flavors is proprietary, making it difficult to assess specific health impacts of the entire mixture. Evidence does not suggest adverse health effects from typical consumption.