Natural Flava: Quick & Easy Plant-Based Caribbean Recipes

Product Information

The icing on the GRAS oxymoron cake? Manufacturers can do all of this without even telling the FDA that they’re using a substance in food. That’s right; the FDA may not even know a chemical exists because the company making it never told them (and didn’t have to). Some experts estimate that the FDA may be unaware of around 1,000 chemicals currently being used in the food system. Castoreum. A somewhat surprising and unsettling source, this slightly sweet substance is found in the anal secretions of beavers. It is sometimes used as a substitute for vanilla, although this is rare due to its high cost. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations, natural flavors are created from substances extracted from these plant or animal sources ( 1):

And sugar, at least the kind found in soda, has undergone heavy processing and no longer resembles its natural state. As a result it’s pretty addictive and not good for you in the doses Americans eat it in (another article for another day). One book reference did go into more detail on the safety aspect, focusing primarily on the methods used to establish the safety of artificial flavors. The authors admitted that these procedures are a work in progress and that debates exists about these methods. However, the article gave no cause for concern. Although some public interest groups have criticized FEMA for not disclosing information on the safety of natural flavors, most of these flavors are considered safe when consumed in moderation ( 6, 7, 8).

Connect with us Online

However, all flavorings undergo a lot of processing, and the healthy option may be to limit foods with flavoring and eat whole foods like meat, veggies, fruit, and grains. First, there’s nothing natural about soda. Soda is carbonated water loaded with sweetener, flavorings, and colorings. It’s modern food science in a can. This one is best known as natural butter flavoring. Unfortunately, when you consume diacetyl, you may be in for more than buttery fingers. A condition sometimes referred to as “popcorn lung” has been shown to affect workers in microwave popcorn factories. According to the CDC, studies have found an association between exposure to diacetyl vapor over time in microwave popcorn facilities and workers developing abnormal lung function and shortness of breath. Animal studies have further linked diacetyl toxicity to airway damage. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

The Caribbean diet might be meat-heavy, but the McAnuffs found it easy to put together plant-based recipes from their culture. Growing up, “Vegetables were used in the sides – but they were very flavourful sides”, explains Craig. “It was always an eclectic range of different vegetables, rather than just Brussels sprouts.”

Lemon essential oil: Derived from lemons, a small amount of this volatile oil adds the taste of lemon. However, members of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA), a trade group that evaluates the safety of flavor additives in the United States, have been criticized by nutrition experts and public interest groups for not disclosing safety data on natural flavors ( 6, 7). Food allergies are another potential safety concern. Food manufacturers aren’t required to itemize the ingredients in natural flavors, so potential allergens could be hiding — unlabeled — on the ingredient list. Limonene (from lemon peels) also shows promise. In animal models, limonene has been shown to have immune-boosting and stress-reducing properties[ *][ *]. Limonene appears to have a good safety profile in humans as well[ *]. In fact, in some cases natural flavors aren’t much different from artificial flavors in terms of chemical composition and health effects.

For this reason, it’s very important to be aware of the ingredients in the natural flavors you consume, especially if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions. ORGANIC BRAND: Alden’s Vanilla Bean Ice Cream ( Ingredients: Milk*, Cream*, Cane Sugar*, Tapioca Syrup*, Tapioca Starch*, Vanilla Extract*, Guar Gum*, Soy Lecithin*, Ground Vanilla Beans*, Locust Bean Gum*, Xanthan Gum. *Organic) More specifically, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA): natural flavors (or natural flavorings) are derived from “a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products”[ *].

Customer Services

Unlike whole food spices and herbs, natural flavors are man-made through roasting, heating, or a process called enzymolysis. Enzymolysis is the breakdown of food by enzymes — fermentation, for example.