Food additive · Flavoring
Artificial flavors
Synthetic flavoring substances that do not meet the natural-flavor definition.
- Food additive
- Artificial flavor
- Flavoring
- Ultra-processing marker
- Expert review pending
Concern level
A minor or very limited concern, such as being an ultra-processing marker only. The concern level sets how many points artificial flavors costs on a product’s receipt.
What the evidence says
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Marker of ultra-processingStrong evidence
US dietary guidelines advise limiting foods with artificial flavors. [1]
-
Natural flavor (undisclosed)Info
Synthetic flavoring substances are listed in 21 CFR 172.515; the label does not say which are used. [2]
Evidence tiers say how sure the evidence is, separately from how much it matters. About evidence tiers.
Popular products that list artificial flavors
384 of the 17,000 most-scanned products in the US with a GoodSwap page list artificial flavors. The 12 most scanned:
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Nutella Nutella · 13 oz Score 28 out of 100 Poor -
Honey Maid Graham Crackers Honey Maid · 14.4 oz (408 g) Score 19 out of 100 Bad -
Chocolate Syrup Hershey's · 24 oz (1 lb 8 oz) 680 g Score 35 out of 100 Poor -
The Original Ranch Condiment & Dressing Hidden Valley · 16 fl oz Score 27 out of 100 Poor -
Seasoned Pretzel Twists Dot's Homestyle Pretzels · 454 g Score 28 out of 100 Poor -
Oreo Oreo · 18.12 oz Score 7 out of 100 Bad -
Protein Powder Drink Mix Isopure · 30.5 g Score 91 out of 100 Excellent -
Simply 5 Syrup Hershey's · 21.8 oz Score 15 out of 100 Bad -
THE ORIGINAL Ranch ORIGINAL RANCH Hidden Valley · 709 mL Score 27 out of 100 Poor -
Chocolate Sandwich Cookies Oreo · 530 g Score 4 out of 100 Bad -
Chips Ahoy! Original Real Chocolate Chip Cookies Nabisco · 368 g Score 3 out of 100 Bad -
Snickers Snickers · 1.86 oz Score 5 out of 100 Bad
Diets and allergens
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
- Gluten-free
- Yes
For the ingredient in general. Always check the package: a product’s own labels win.
Names GoodSwap recognizes on labels (47)
- vanilin
- vanillin
- vanilline
- ethylvanillin
- ethyl vanillin
- arome artificiel
- artificial flavor
- imitation vanilla
- aromes artificiels
- artificial flavors
- artificial flavour
- artificial vanilla
- flavoring vanillin
- vanillin flavoring
- artificial flavours
- flavouring vanillin
- artificial flavoring
- artificial flavorings
- artificial flavouring
- artificially flavored
- aromatisant artificiel
- artificial flavor added
- artificial grape flavor
- artificial lemon flavor
- artificial maple flavor
- artificial smoke flavor
- artificial banana flavor
- artificial butter flavor
- artificial cherry flavor
- artificial flavors added
- artificial fruit flavors
- artificial orange flavor
- imitation vanilla flavor
- artificial vanilla flavor
- artificial flavor vanillin
- vanillin artificial flavor
- arome de vanille artificiel
- artificial chocolate flavor
- artificial flavor and color
- artificial strawberry flavor
- artificial colors and flavors
- artificial flavoring vanillin
- artificial flavors and colors
- vanillin an artificial flavor
- vanillin artificial flavoring
- artificial flavours and colours
- artificial coloring and flavoring
Sources
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Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
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