Is Natural and nature-identical flavours bad for you?
Also listed as: nature identical flavouring substances, added flavours, natural flavouring
Short answer
Flavourings are permitted and used in tiny amounts. ‘Nature-identical’ means made in a lab to match a natural flavour molecule. The bigger clue is that real fruit or spice may be only a small part of the product.
What it is
Concentrated flavour compounds. ‘Natural’ ones come from plant or animal sources; ‘nature-identical’ are chemically the same but synthesised; ‘artificial’ don’t occur in nature.
Where you’ll see it
Flavoured yoghurt, juices, biscuits, chips, ice cream and drinks.
+ The good side
- Allowed flavourings are safety-assessed
- Used in very small amounts
− The other side
- A ‘strawberry’ product may contain little or no strawberry
- Can make low-quality ingredients taste better
Who should pay attention
Anyone paying for ‘real fruit’ products.
💡 What to do: Look for the percentage of the real ingredient (e.g. ‘mango pulp 10%’) in the ingredient list.
Got a pack with Natural and nature-identical flavours?
Snap the label. NutriSathi shows how much it matters in that product, for your body and where you bought it. Free.
Check a product free →Related
MSG (monosodium glutamate)
Food safety regulators consider MSG safe at normal intake. Its bigger practical issue is that it usually comes in salty, processed foods.
Tartrazine
Permitted within limits, but a small number of people react to it, and in the EU foods with it must warn that it may affect activity and attention in children.
General food information, not medical advice. Exact limits and labelling rules vary by country. If you have a medical condition or allergy, follow your doctor’s or dietitian’s advice.