Many products sold in grocery stores list “natural flavors” as one of the ingredients. I certainly applaud any ingredient that is natural. but are natural flavors really natural?

Natural Flavor Ingredients

While the source of “natural flavors” must be natural from plant or animals, the final flavoring mixture usually consists of 80% or more “incidental” additives. These can include:

  • Chemical Solvents
  • Preservatives
  • Emulsifiers
  • Chemicals added to enhance flavor
  • Carriers like propylene glycol which has been connected to kidney and central nervous system problems

Food manufacturers are not required to list incidental additives on the food’s ingredient panel. They are come under the umbrella of a “natural flavor”. The term in food labels of packaged foods can include a variety of both foods and chemicals. A single natural flavor listing in a product can contain a shocking number of chemical additives.

Summary: As long as the primary flavoring source derives from plant or animal material, the entire mixture can be labeled simply as a “natural flavor.” In some cases the additives will do not harm. In others they will. I personally do not buy any food products that include a “natural flavor” in the ingredient listing.

Robert Rodgers PhD
Founder 2004
Parkinsons Recovery®
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease