Food labels may imply that “natural” flavors are safe, but this could be deceiving. Natural flavors may contain synthetic solvents, carriers and preservatives which make up part of their makeup.
Add the refreshing taste of fresh fruit to savory dishes, light main courses and chilled desserts in this collection of quick recipes that showcase different global flavours.
Origin
Food manufacturers may claim that natural flavors are healthier for you than artificial ones; however, that may not always be true. While they must include natural flavors on ingredient lists, they do not need to disclose where these chemicals come from or how much of each chemical they are using – leaving many non-natural-sounding additives (including those like benzaldehyde and diacetyl) hidden behind labels.
Wright notes that while natural flavors do originate from real plants and fruit, their production often involves multiple processes. For instance, lemon flavor could come from oil or juice concentrate mixed with chemicals to form more complex tastes profiles.
Similar to bananas from 1860s production lines, flavoring chemicals benzaldehyde and citral can be extracted from any number of plants and trees to mimic specific fruit or vegetable flavors and then used in food products and beverages just as they would have been found inside a whole banana produced during that era.
Purpose
Natural flavors come from ingredients like spices, fruits and vegetables and possess their own distinct aroma and taste, often carrying therapeutic benefits as well. Vanillin found in vanilla beans contains anti-inflammatory agents with warming aroma properties while Limonene found in citrus fruits has therapeutic qualities as well as providing zesty fresh flavors that add zesty fresh flavors for delicious culinary creations.
Natural fruit flavors in the US are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and may be used in food and beverage products as well as replacing artificial flavors for various applications.
Manufacturers are not required to disclose the original food sources of natural flavors and their chemical mixtures – including synthetic solvents, emulsifiers and preservatives – when labeling products with natural flavors, leading consumers to become confused over safety issues regarding these substances and further leading them down a false path towards misinformation and mistrust. This misinformation can have serious health ramifications for people with allergies or diet restrictions.
Safety
Natural flavors may seem safer than artificial flavorings, but they still pose risks. Food manufacturers aren’t required to disclose exactly which chemicals make up natural flavors – these may include preservatives, emulsifiers and solvents as well as allergens like milk, eggs, fish shellfish or tree nuts.
Natural flavors come from natural sources like fruit, vegetables, herbs, spices and other plant parts. According to FDA definitions, they include essential oils, oleoresins, essence or extractive, protein hydrolyzate or distillate of any product containing flavoring constituents from any part of its original source such as fruits roots bark stems leaves.
Synthetic chemicals are frequently used to mimic natural flavorings in processed food products, often at great expense to our health. Such synthetic flavorings have been linked to neurotoxicity, genotoxicity and various forms of hypersensitivity – so to minimize health issues it is wise to opt for whole and minimally processed food items and request ingredient lists when dining out.
Health implications
Natural flavors are made of natural products but go through extensive processing, typically including over 100 chemicals that make up their ingredients. These could include solvents, emulsifiers, flavor enhancers and preservatives such as propylene glycol (found in antifreeze) or butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). Some have even been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption and other health concerns.
Flavors influence our food preferences and eating behaviors, with far-reaching health ramifications. Furthermore, flavors can affect emotions and mood directly impacting eating behaviors.
Although natural flavors may make health claims on labels, that doesn’t guarantee better or healthier products. They may actually contain compounds sourced from animal products or dairy, which may trigger severe reactions. When selecting healthy beverages for yourself, lemonicious recommends looking for ones made with real fruit ingredients like lychee, rambutan and mangosteen; these beverages have the added bonus of being more environmentally-friendly than artificial flavors.
