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Ingredient Guide

🇨🇦 Natural Flavors / Natural Flavourings on Food Labels in Canada

Natural Flavors / Natural Flavourings is permitted with proper declaration in Canada: declare as "natural flavour(s)" in the ingredient list.

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What the Rule Is

"Natural flavours" is an umbrella declaration for flavouring preparations derived from plant or animal raw materials, covering potentially hundreds of individual substances. In Canada, Natural Flavors / Natural Flavourings is regulated under FDR & Safe Food for Canadians Regulations as a food flavoring. CFIA: "natural flavour" is an acceptable declaration. If the flavoring contains an allergen, the allergen must be identified, e.g., "natural flavour (milk)".

What You Must Include
  • Declare as "natural flavour(s)" in the ingredient list
  • Declare with functional class: "flavoring"
  • Review all compound ingredients for hidden sources
  • Cross-check all compound ingredients and sub-ingredients for hidden sources
Common Violations
  • Incorrect or missing declaration name — must use "natural flavour(s)"
  • Using an ambiguous or abbreviated name that does not identify Natural Flavors / Natural Flavourings
  • Missing the functional class in the ingredient declaration
  • Not updating the label after recipe changes involving this ingredient
  • Failing to check compound ingredients for hidden Natural Flavors / Natural Flavourings content
Examples: Compliant vs Non-Compliant

Compliant Examples

"flavoring: natural flavour(s)"
Full ingredient line: "Ingredients: ... natural flavour(s) ..."

Non-Compliant Examples

Using a synonym (Natural flavourings, Natural flavor) without the approved declaration name
Ingredient list with "Natural Flavors / Natural Flavourings" without functional class or E-number
"Natural [ingredient category]" without specific name where specific name is required
How LabelGuard Checks This

LabelGuard scans your label for Natural Flavors / Natural Flavourings and all its common names (Natural flavors, Natural flavourings, Natural flavor, Flavour (natural)) to verify correct declaration, required E-numbers, and proper functional class labeling under Canada rules.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is natural flavors / natural flavourings?

"Natural flavours" is an umbrella declaration for flavouring preparations derived from plant or animal raw materials, covering potentially hundreds of individual substances. It commonly appears in: Almost any processed food, Beverages, Snacks, Confectionery, Dairy products.

Is natural flavors / natural flavourings bad for you?

The individual flavouring substances are safety-evaluated (EU Regulation 1334/2008; FEMA GRAS in the US), so safety is rarely the issue. The compliance risks are allergen carry-over from flavour carriers, and the EU’s much stricter naming rules — calling something "natural strawberry flavouring" requires at least 95% of the flavouring to come from strawberries.

How must Natural Flavors / Natural Flavourings be declared on food labels in Canada?

Declare as "natural flavour(s)" in the ingredient list. CFIA: "natural flavour" is an acceptable declaration. If the flavoring contains an allergen, the allergen must be identified, e.g., "natural flavour (milk)".

What are the common synonyms and hidden sources of Natural Flavors / Natural Flavourings?

Natural Flavors / Natural Flavourings may appear under the following names: Natural flavors, Natural flavourings, Natural flavor, Flavour (natural). Common hidden sources include: Almost any processed food, Beverages, Snacks, Confectionery, Dairy products, Sauces.

Is natural flavors / natural flavourings banned in Canada or other markets?

Natural Flavors / Natural Flavourings is permitted in all major markets with proper declaration.

Regulation Sources

Last updated: 2026-07-20

Disclaimer: This information is for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult official regulations and seek professional legal advice for specific compliance questions.

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