Natural flavours still subject to chemical process

Do you know the difference between a natural flavour and an artificial flavour? Ironically, they are often both made in the same factory and are both the result of complex chemical processes. The ‘natural flavour’ certainly sounds healthier and more pure but the reality is that it can be just as processed, often with just as much potential harm as an artificial version.

A natural banana flavour starts with a banana; an artificial banana flavour starts with a chemical. Both processes then have a similar profile of chemicals added to them, a list of unpronounceable scientific names that is often longer than the ‘main’ ingredients listing.

In the book Fast Food Nation (Penguin 2002), author Eric Schlossberg lists the chemicals used to make artificial strawberry flavour – there are 49 ingredients!

Read more about natural flavours versus artificial flavours in Fast Food Nation

If you found this article valuable, you can download the Chemical Maze App to your iPhone now.

Have easy-to-use information on thousands of potentially harmful ingredients at your fingertips.

Lindy Schneider is a writer and researcher with a keen interest in health, wellbeing and natural childcare. She is an advocator of a chemical-free lifestyle in the best interests of her family, the community and a sustainable world. She lives in the Yarra Valley with her partner and two young children.