Artificial Flavor

Definition

Chemical mixtures created to mimic naturally occurring flavors

Also Known As

Artificial Flavors, Flavorings, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Artificially Colored Red With Carmine , Natural and Artificial Flavor, Natural and Artificial Flavours, Natural and Artificial Flavour

Health Impact

Artificial flavors can be made with over hundreds of chemicals, none of which are required to be disclosed on the product label, so it can be very hard to determine what harmful ingredients lie within them. Artificial flavors have been shown to reduce red blood cell production in animal testing, and certain flavors were shown to have a toxic effect on bone marrow cells. These flavors are also created to be addictive, leading consumers to eat more without feeling full.

Sources

• Toxicity of synthetic flavorings, nature identical and artificial, to hematopoietic tissue cells of rodents

  Pub Med

• Assessment of Grape, Plum and Orange Synthetic Food Flavourings Using in vivo Acute Toxicity Tests

  Pub Med

• The GRAS provision - The FEMA GRAS program and the safety and regulation of flavors in the United States

  Pub Med

• We are what we eat: Regulatory gaps in the United States that put our health at risk

  PLOS Biology

• Food-Induced Anaphylaxis: Role of Hidden Allergens and Cofactors

  Frontiers in Immunology

• The Flavor Rundown: Natural vs. Artificial Flavors

  Harvard University: Science In The News

Products containing Artificial Flavor

Better Options Available

Nabisco Biscuit Company

Honey Grahams Crackers

Better Options Available

Cheetos

Cheetos Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks

Better Options Available

Doritos

Doritos Nacho Cheese Flavored Tortilla Chips