Natural food flavors come from edible sources, such as fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. Unlike artificial flavors which undergo rigorous quality assurance testing.
Natural flavors are reviewed by regulators such as FDA and EFSA to ensure they meet safety criteria, making them an excellent option for people with food allergies or specific dietary restrictions.
Organic
Organic food flavors offer an excellent alternative to artificial additives. Made with all-natural ingredients that do not undergo genetic modification and meet environmental and social standards, they’re free of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers – a smart way to avoid harmful chemical additives!
These products come from various sources, such as fruit, herbs, spices and vegetables. Their long shelf life means they can be used year-round – an especially valuable feature for juice manufacturers who need a regular supply.
Natural flavors do not always follow their name: they often contain an assortment of chemical compounds derived from essential oils, oleoresins, extractives, emulsifiers, preservatives and carriers that come from non-organic sources – something which could prove problematic for those with allergies as these products could contain allergens like milk, wheat, peanuts and soy – thus it’s crucial that consumers carefully read labels when purchasing these products.
Non-GMO
Understanding if natural flavors truly qualify as natural can be difficult. According to the Food and Drug Administration, natural flavorings are defined as those derived from vegetables, animals or microbiological sources using traditional food preparation processes; but natural flavors could include anything from an essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, distillate protein hydrolysate or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis (essentially fermentation caused by enzymes).
Organic natural flavors offer you plenty of choices. Look for products certified as Non-GMO Project Verified to find those free from synthetic additives and meeting specific sustainability standards. Likewise, many organic natural flavors are produced by fair trade producers who employ ethical farming and production practices that promote economic balance while supporting local communities with fair wages – this way your food and beverages can add a delicious twist while contributing towards global social equality!
Safe
Natural flavors don’t necessarily originate directly from food items that they mimic; rather they can be produced using various other ingredients like solvents, emulsifiers, preservatives and carriers – and manufacturers don’t have to disclose these chemicals on their ingredient lists.
The FDA considers most natural flavorings safe to consume and they often offer superior performance over their artificial counterparts; however, these can still pose issues for individuals with food allergies or who require special diets.
For instance, if you are allergic to dairy or eggs, foods with “natural flavors” listed on their labels should probably be avoided as these could contain ingredients made up of dairy and egg proteins combined with chemicals to create flavoring agents that could violate your allergy. Furthermore, vegan diet followers may wish to steer clear of products labeled with “natural” ingredients since these may include animal or plant sources that would breach their diet restrictions.
Sustainable
Manufacturers of food and beverages today have an increased focus on health and sustainability, leading them to seek partners that can assist them with creating authentic natural flavors for their products that are also sustainable and eco-conscious. At Norex, one of the premier flavor manufacturing companies, they combine expert science with sustainable sourcing practices to craft robust yet delectable natural flavors that are safe for people and the planet alike.
Natural flavors in the US can be defined as any extract, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate or distillate that includes flavoring constituents derived from vegetables, fruits, flowers, herbs, spices nuts berries or bark roots (Poornima and Preetha 2017). Some producers of natural flavors prioritise soil health and biodiversity conservation when selecting suppliers by working with farmers who employ integrated pest management practices that limit harmful chemical usage during farming practices (Poornima and Preetha 2017).
Additionally, they employ upcycling materials like citrus peels and spent coffee cherry husks into natural ingredients that stand out. Furthermore, their sustainable production processes aim to minimize energy use and waste generation.
