Natural Flavouring
Also known as: natural flavour, natural flavor, natural flavoring, natural flavourings, natural flavorings
FDA-permitted under 21 CFR 101.22, but consumer-advocacy groups including CSPI flag a transparency gap: 'natural flavor' can encompass dozens of undisclosed compounds, including substances among the 50+ allergenic foods not covered by federal allergen labeling. The GRAS-by-self-determination pathway used by flavor manufacturers means many flavor chemicals reach the food supply without independent FDA review.
What it is
A regulatory umbrella term (21 CFR 101.22) for flavor extracts derived from spices, fruit, vegetable, herb, bark, root, leaf, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy, or fermentation products. May contain dozens of compounds, plus undisclosed solvents, preservatives, and emulsifier processing aids.
Provides or enhances flavor without contributing significant nutritional value.
Why it's flagged
- May contain undisclosed allergens beyond the federally-required nine
What regulators actually say
"The term natural flavor or natural flavoring means the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional."
"The FDA has largely abandoned its role in approving new flavor chemicals and has handed its authority over to food companies."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
permitted under 21 CFR 101.22; no per-ingredient disclosure required
European Union — EFSA
permitted under EU flavoring regulation (EC) 1334/2008
Scan it before you buy it
Get Ube on iOS or Android — point at any barcode, see what's actually in there.
Get the app