Natural Flavors

Last reviewed October 18, 2026 · Evidence strength: Limited · How we grade evidence

In plain words: "Natural flavors" is a broad legal label. Companies don't have to list every component, and tiny amounts of carriers like maltodextrin can go unlisted. But added MSG must be named on the label, and flavor-boosting protein hydrolysates can't hide under "natural flavor." Major allergens must still be declared. There's no evidence natural flavors as a group are harmful. The label mainly tells you a food is processed.

Also listed on labels as: Natural flavor, Natural flavors, Natural flavoring, Natural flavour

What is it, and why is it in food?

A natural flavor is a flavor taken from a plant or animal source (fruit, spice, meat, yeast and so on), often concentrated and mixed with carriers and solvents. It's in nearly everything flavored: ice cream, bars, candy, drinks, chips and yogurt.

What does the science say?

• What counts: US rules define natural flavor broadly by source.¹
• What can go unlisted: carriers or solvents inside a flavor can be exempt as "incidental additives" when present at insignificant levels.²
• What can't: protein hydrolysates used for flavor can't be listed as just "flavor" or "natural flavor".¹ Added MSG must be listed and "cannot be listed as spices and flavoring."³
• The 80% figure refers to the flavor blend, which is a tiny part of the whole food.
• Harm: We found no evidence that natural flavors as a class are harmful.

What do regulators say?

• FDA rules govern the term (21 CFR 101.22 and 101.100). Major allergens must still be declared even inside flavors.

Who should be careful?

• People with uncommon allergies (not one of the major allergens) may need to call the company to ask what's in a flavor.

How common is it in US foods?

In our check of USDA's Branded Foods database, 134,301 of 438,129 US packaged foods with an ingredient list name natural flavors (about 30.7%, or roughly 1 in 3).⁴ It shows up most often in: ice cream & frozen yogurt (7,450); snack, energy & granola bars (5,058); candy (4,937); soda (4,692); yogurt (4,355). That's about 3 in 10 packaged foods, more than almost any other ingredient we tracked. These are label records companies sent to USDA, mostly in 2021 to 2023, so some products have changed since. Counts come from a text match of ingredient lists and are approximate.

Swaps and tips for families

• No swap needed for safety. If you want fewer processed foods, plain versions (plain yogurt plus fruit, unflavored nuts) skip flavors altogether.

Beyond the plate: related non-food exposures

Vaping: flavor chemicals that are fine to eat can be harmful to breathe in. Diacetyl, linked to "popcorn lung" in factory workers, was found in 39 of 51 flavored e-cigarettes tested.⁵

Frequently asked questions

What are natural flavors made of?

Flavors taken from plant or animal sources, often concentrated and mixed with carriers. Companies don't have to list each component.

Can natural flavors contain MSG?

Added MSG must be listed separately on US labels. Protein hydrolysates also can't hide under "natural flavor."

Are natural flavors better than artificial flavors?

Not necessarily. Both can be chemically similar. The difference is the source, not safety.

Are natural flavors vegan?

Not always. They can come from animal sources, and labels don't have to say. Ask the company if it matters to you.

Related guides

• Artificial Flavors and Vanillin
• MSG (Monosodium Glutamate)
• Maltodextrin
• Flavors, flour treatments and more

Sources

Every source below was checked against PubMed, the publisher or the official page by our research team in October 2026.

1. 21 CFR 101.22 (eCFR text fetched via API). Link
2. 21 CFR 101.100(a)(3) (eCFR text fetched via API). Link
3. FDA Q&A on MSG. Link
4. FoodData Central, Branded Foods dataset (release 2026-04-30). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 2026. Link
5. Flavoring Chemicals in E-Cigarettes: Diacetyl, 2,3-Pentanedione, and Acetoin in a Sample of 51 Products, Including Fruit-, Candy-, and Cocktail-Flavored E-Cigarettes. Environmental Health Perspectives, 2016. PubMed 26642857 · doi:10.1289/ehp.1510185

This guide is for general education. It is not medical advice and does not replace advice from your doctor, pediatrician, allergist or registered dietitian. If you think you or your child reacted to a food, talk to a health professional. Research changes; we review these pages when new evidence or rules come out. Last reviewed October 18, 2026. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].