Thickener & Natural Flavor

Thickeners are substances that increase the viscosity of liquids. They can be derived from plants, animals, or be synthetically produced. Common natural thickeners include starches from corn, potatoes, or tapioca, as well as gums like guar gum or xanthan gum.

Manufacturers add thickeners to improve the texture and consistency of foods, making them smoother and preventing separation. They are frequently found in sauces, gravies, dressings, dairy products, and baked goods.

Thickeners are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as intended. International bodies like JECFA have evaluated many thickeners and established acceptable daily intakes. While generally safe, excessive consumption of some thickeners might cause digestive discomfort in sensitive individuals.