I've often questioned the use of the word "natural" on so many processed foods. Over the past few years I've taken more and more to buying fresh, from local farms when I can, rather than packaged foods in the stores. I have to admit, my body does notice the difference and I feel better when not eating and drinking all the processed products.
From Chakra4, my favorite Herb Shop and Tea House in Phoenix, I want to share some information from their newsletter:
"Have you ever wondered what the term “natural flavorings” on a food label means? I can tell you what it doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean that natural items were used to create that flavoring. The truth is far more disturbing.
To this day it baffles me that this mis-use of the words “natural flavorings” is even allowed. I went on for years having no idea what that meant.
I assumed that if something had an orange flavor, that they flavored it with oranges. Isn’t that adorable?
So What Are Natural Flavorings?
Let’s start with a definition of “natural flavorings” as determined by the US Federal Code of Regulations.
“The term natural flavor or natural flavoring means the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents 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 thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
There is an awful lot of wiggle room in there for companies to get creative. And creative they are."
You can read the rest of the story here: http://chakra4vegetarianrestaurant.com/healthy-foods/natural-flavorings-no-not-really#comment-2598
If you're like me and wondering why so many people are so ill these days, why so many children have so many problems that were non-existant 20, 30 + years ago, then you'll want to start re-thinking exactly what you are eating and drinking.