Smoke And Other Natural Flavors

Natural flavors are complex mixtures derived from plant or animal sources. They are created through processes like heating, fermentation, or enzymatic treatment to capture the essence of a specific food or ingredient, such as smoke. These flavors aim to enhance or impart specific taste profiles to foods.

Manufacturers use natural flavors to add or boost taste and aroma in a wide variety of foods. They are commonly found in processed items like frozen meals, snacks, and meat products to create desirable flavor profiles that might be lost during processing or to mimic specific tastes like smoky or savory notes.

Natural flavors are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as intended. Regulatory bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated many flavor ingredients. While generally considered safe at typical consumption levels, the specific components of natural flavors can vary widely, making broad health statements difficult. There are no widespread controversies regarding the general use of natural flavors.