The term natural found on food labels tends to make concerned consumers feel a little more at ease compared to artificial flavors. But over the years we’ve learned that natural food labels mean little because unlike organic labels, they’re not mandated by the USDA. According to a new Environmental Working Group report, the same is true for natural flavors versus artificial flavors.
Natural flavors aren’t that much healthier than artificial flavors. Natural flavors must be derived from plant and animal sources but they can still contain synthetic chemicals as well as GMOs. Artificial flavors must be derived from 700 FDA-allowed flavoring chemicals, though EWG contends that the food additive review system is not strict enough.
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