What Does "Natural Flavouring" Actually Mean?
"Natural flavouring" is one of the most common phrases on ingredient lists, and one of the least explained. Here is what the law allows it to contain, and what it tells you about allergens and diet.
The legal definition
In the UK and EU, flavourings are governed by Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008. A "natural flavouring substance" must be obtained from plant, animal or microbial material by physical, enzymatic or microbiological processes, such as pressing, distilling or fermenting. In the US, the FDA defines "natural flavor" in a similar way: a flavour extracted from a spice, fruit, vegetable, herb, root, meat, seafood, egg, dairy product or similar source, used for taste rather than nutrition.
What the wording on the label tells you
Under UK and EU rules the exact phrase matters. "Natural vanilla flavouring" means at least 95% of the flavouring comes from vanilla. "Natural vanilla flavouring with other natural flavourings" means some comes from vanilla, and the rest from other natural sources. "Natural flavouring" on its own means it is natural, but it does not say what it was made from.
Is natural safer than artificial?
Not necessarily. "Natural" describes where a flavouring comes from, not how safe it is. A natural flavouring and a synthetic one can be the same molecule. For example, vanillin can be extracted from vanilla or made in a lab. Every flavouring substance used in the UK and EU, natural or not, has to be on an authorised list or meet the regulation's safety conditions.
Allergens are still declared
If a flavouring contains one of the 14 major allergens, such as milk, celery or soya, UK and EU law requires the allergen to be declared in the ingredients list, normally in bold. US law also requires the major food allergens to be declared, including when they are part of a flavouring. If you have an allergy, read the whole label and the allergen statement.
Vegetarian, vegan and religious diets
Natural flavourings can come from animal sources, such as meat, fish or dairy. A label that just says "natural flavouring" will not tell you which, unless the product is certified vegan, vegetarian, halal or kosher. If it matters to you, look for a certification mark or ask the manufacturer.
Sources
Checking a whole label? Paste it into the ingredient checker →