Not all natural flavors are equal. We use only pure clean plant-based ingredients for our Natural Flavors. There is NO MSG. They are fully Vegan. There are no artificial ingredients or chemicals within our Natural Flavors. They are free of major allergens: milk, eggs, fish [e.g., bass, flounder, cod], Crustacean shellfish [e.g., crab, lobster, shrimp], tree nuts [e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans], peanuts, wheat [gluten], and soybean.
Here's what to watch for with "natural flavors" in general:
While the term “natural flavors” sounds clean, it’s actually a broad umbrella term regulated loosely by the FDA. It can legally include a wide range of ingredients, some of which may not be ideal for health-conscious or sensitive individuals.
Common Concerns with Some Natural Flavors:
-Undisclosed Additives or Carriers
Even though labeled “natural,” many natural flavors can contain:
-Propylene glycol (a synthetic solvent)
-Preservatives like BHA or BHT
-Gums or emulsifiers (like modified food starch)
-Synthetic solvents used in the flavor extraction process
-Hidden MSG (Glutamates)
Some natural flavor compounds contain free glutamic acid, which behaves similarly to MSG in the body, triggering headaches or other sensitivity reactions for some people.
-Animal-Derived Ingredients
Not all “natural” flavors are plant-based. Some are derived from animal products (e.g., dairy enzymes, meat extracts), which disqualifies them as vegan or allergen-free.
-Allergenic Derivatives
Flavors can contain trace components from allergens (e.g., soy or gluten), unless specifically tested and declared free of those allergens which Yonder's is!
- Lack of Transparency
Companies are not required to disclose the full list of ingredients in a natural flavor unless it's a known allergen, which can be frustrating for consumers trying to avoid certain things.
What Makes Yonder’s Natural Flavors Better:
-Plant-based and vegan
-No MSG or glutamates
-No artificial chemicals or preservatives
-Free of top 8 allergens
-Fully clean-label aligned
That puts Yonder’s formulation in a much higher quality tier than typical commercial “natural flavors.” We are very picky about the purity and cleanliness of all our ingredients..
