Natural flavors
Natural flavors suppliers and sourcing guide
Natural flavors are flavoring preparations whose flavor constituents come from plant or animal sources, such as essential oils, extracts, distillates and products of roasting, heating or fermentation. Flavor houses build them to a target taste profile and supply them as liquids in carriers like alcohol, propylene glycol or vegetable oil, or as spray-dried powders. Brands usually buy a named flavor (for example natural strawberry flavor) made to their product and specification.
- Also known as
- Natural flavoring · Natural flavour · Natural flavor with other natural flavors (WONF)
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of natural flavors
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Liquid, water-soluble
Flavor in ethanol, propylene glycol, glycerin or water, for drinks and other water-based products.
Liquid, oil-soluble
Flavor in vegetable oil or triacetin, for fat-based products, chocolate and baked goods.
Spray-dried powder
Flavor encapsulated on a carrier such as gum acacia or maltodextrin, for dry mixes, capsules and tablets.
From the named food vs WONF
Flavor wholly from the named source, or "with other natural flavors" when other natural materials are used to round out the profile.
Organic-compliant
Flavors made only from nonsynthetic sources without synthetic solvents, carriers or preservatives, for use in organic products.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Sensory match
- Taste and odor against the approved standard, the primary release test for any flavor.
- Specific gravity and refractive index
- Quick physical checks for liquid flavors that catch formulation or dilution errors.
- Flash point and alcohol
- Flash point and solvent content for shipping classification and for alcohol-sensitive products.
- Moisture (powders)
- Loss on drying or Karl Fischer moisture for spray-dried flavors, which cake and lose strength when damp.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, and pathogens for water-based and powdered flavors.
- Allergen and status documents
- Allergen statement, natural status, kosher or halal and organic compliance letters for each flavor.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep containers tightly closed in a cool, dark area, since heat, light and air flatten top notes and can oxidize citrus oils. Store powders dry and sealed. Shelf life is short compared with most ingredients, often 6 to 24 months, and is set by the flavor house specification.
Lots and expiry dates
Natural raw materials vary by crop, so flavor houses adjust formulas to hold the profile; compare each lot with the retained standard and record the formula or version number. Rotate first-expiry, first-out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 101.22(a)(3) defines natural flavor as the essential oil, extract, distillate or similar product containing flavoring constituents derived from listed plant or animal sources, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 101.22(h)(1) lets natural flavor be declared in an ingredient statement simply as "natural flavor".
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 101.22(h) says a protein hydrolysate used for its effects on flavor may not be declared simply as flavor or natural flavor; it is declared by its specific common or usual name.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)7 CFR 205.605 allows nonsynthetic flavors in products labeled organic when organic flavors are not commercially available, and bars synthetic solvents, carriers and artificial preservatives.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Natural flavors suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking natural flavors suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell natural flavors? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of natural flavors can brands buy?
Common forms include liquid, water-soluble, liquid, oil-soluble, spray-dried powder, from the named food vs WONF and organic-compliant. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for natural flavors include?
Expect sensory match, specific gravity and refractive index, flash point and alcohol, moisture (powders), microbiology and allergen and status documents, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should natural flavors be stored?
Keep containers tightly closed in a cool, dark area, since heat, light and air flatten top notes and can oxidize citrus oils. Store powders dry and sealed. Shelf life is short compared with most ingredients, often 6 to 24 months, and is set by the flavor house specification.
What is the regulatory status of natural flavors?
21 CFR 101.22(a)(3) defines natural flavor as the essential oil, extract, distillate or similar product containing flavoring constituents derived from listed plant or animal sources, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional. 21 CFR 101.22(h)(1) lets natural flavor be declared in an ingredient statement simply as "natural flavor". 21 CFR 101.22(h) says a protein hydrolysate used for its effects on flavor may not be declared simply as flavor or natural flavor; it is declared by its specific common or usual name. 7 CFR 205.605 allows nonsynthetic flavors in products labeled organic when organic flavors are not commercially available, and bars synthetic solvents, carriers and artificial preservatives.
More flavors, spices and essential oils
- Vanilla extractExtract of vanilla · Pure vanilla extract
- Vanilla beansVanilla planifolia · Vanilla tahitensis
- Vanillin4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde · Vanillic aldehyde
- Ethyl vanillin3-Ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde · Bourbonal
- Artificial flavorsArtificial flavoring · Synthetic flavors
- CinnamonCinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon) · Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cassia)
- NutmegMyristica fragrans · Nutmeg seed
- CloveSyzygium aromaticum · Eugenia caryophyllata
- CardamomElettaria cardamomum · Green cardamom
- Black pepperPiper nigrum · Peppercorns
- Cayenne pepperCapsicum annuum · Capsicum frutescens
- PaprikaCapsicum annuum · Sweet paprika
Sell ingredients to brands?
Request a free listing for the ingredients you make or distribute. No paid placement.