What does "natural flavors" mean in foods?

[Anonymous]

What is this? It's not like you can buy "natural flavors" in a bottle and use it when cooking! So what is it? Is there a standard of what it can be? I am just curious. If it's salt, spices, etc then why don't they just list the ingredients? Is it subversive?

[Anonymous]

It can mean anything that is derived from natural sources but it might be derived from bacteria or fungi or anything else deemed "natural." It is basically the same as artificial flavors and it is a way to hide a bunch of crap in your food.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It can mean anything that is derived from natural sources but it might be derived from bacteria or fungi or anything else deemed "natural." It is basically the same as artificial flavors and it is a way to hide a bunch of crap in your food.

Hmmmm so is it bad to eat stuff with "natural flavors"?

[Anonymous]

could be msg

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It can mean anything that is derived from natural sources but it might be derived from bacteria or fungi or anything else deemed "natural." It is basically the same as artificial flavors and it is a way to hide a bunch of crap in your food.

Hmmmm so is it bad to eat stuff with "natural flavors"?

Not necessarily but you can't know what it is. They won't tell you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:could be msg

Is MSG considered "natural"??

[Anonymous]

Made from plants and shit

[Anonymous]

It is often msg. Here is an article about it:
http://www.naturalnews.com/036308_natural_flavors_MSG_aspartame.html

[Anonymous]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/2012/03/28/starbucks-beetle-bug-extract_n_1385521.html.

Natural strawberry made of beetle extract. Natural: yes. Delicious: not so much.