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Source
Unknown
Not yet classified by editors
Allergen
No
Role in food
Manufacturers add sour flavors to foods to provide a tart taste, balance sweetness, or …
What it is
Sour flavor is not a single ingredient but a category of compounds that create a tart or acidic taste. These can be naturally occurring acids found in fruits like lemons and vinegar, or they can be synthesized.
Why it's used
Manufacturers add sour flavors to foods to provide a tart taste, balance sweetness, or enhance other flavors. They are commonly found in snacks, candies, sauces, dressings, and processed meats.
Health notes
Acids used for sour flavoring, such as citric acid and acetic acid, are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as intended. International bodies like JECFA have evaluated many of these compounds. At typical consumption levels, they do not pose a health risk. Evidence does not suggest adverse effects from common sour flavorings.
Allergen info
Sour flavorings themselves are not typically derived from major allergens. However, the source of a specific sour flavor (e.g., fermented products) could potentially be an allergen.
Note:
This site presents label data from USDA FoodData Central for general information. It is not medical advice.
Check the package label; formulations change.