According to the FDA, natural flavors are substances extracted, distilled, or similarly derived from natural sources such as spices, fruit or fruit juice, vegetables or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herbs, bark, buds, root leaves, or plant material. These sources can be manipulated in a lab to create the desired flavor. Natural flavors are different from artificial flavors, which use man-made chemicals to give a product its particular flavor or aroma. However, the regulations for nonorganic foods do not restrict the dozens of other ingredients like preservatives and solvents that can go into a so-called natural flavor. Flavor manufacturers do not have to disclose their ingredients, so natural flavors can contain synthetic solvents, preservatives, emulsifiers, carriers, and other additives. Natural flavors allowed for use in certified organic foods are subject to a different, far more restrictive set of regulations.

In summary, natural flavors are flavoring agents that food manufacturers add to their products to enhance the taste. They are created from substances extracted from natural sources such as spices, fruit, or vegetables, which can be manipulated in a lab to create the desired flavor. However, natural flavors can contain synthetic solvents, preservatives, emulsifiers, carriers, and other additives, and the regulations for nonorganic foods do not restrict these ingredients.