Processed Foods

Are You still consuming Processed "Natural" Foods?

Find out why, they are not actually "natural" and are very addictive and why you keep craving them over and over.

We've all heard of products being labeled “artificially flavored” or “naturally flavored,” but ever wonder what exactly “natural flavor” means? After you read this article and watch this video from 60 Minutes, I think you will change your mind about consuming all those pre-packaged snacks foods, frozen meals, processed foods, sodas and flavored waters, etc.

The Definition of "Natural" means:

The term "natural" is applied to many foods, but does not have a consistent meaning.

"Natural foods" and "all natural foods" are widely used terms in food labeling and marketing with a variety of definitions, some of which are vague. The term is assumed to imply foods that are minimally processed and do not contain manufactured ingredients, but the lack of standards in some jurisdictions means that the term assures nothing. The term "organic" has similar implications and has an established legal definition in many countries and an international standard. In some places, the term "natural" is defined and enforced. In others, such as the United States, it has no meaning.

"Natural foods" are often assumed to be foods that are minimally processed and do not contain any hormones, antibiotics, sweeteners, food colors, or flavorings that were not originally in the food. The terms are often misused on labels and in advertisements.

Fundamentally, almost all foodstuffs are derived from the natural products of plants and animals and therefore any definition of natural food results in an arbitrary exclusion or inclusion of food ingredients; likewise, since almost all foods are processed in some way, either mechanically, chemically, or by temperature, it is difficult to define which types of food processing is natural.

Resource from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Is it really natural? What is the difference? 

Well, the definition of “natural flavor” under the Code of Federal Regulations is: “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”

Any other added flavor therefore is artificial. (For the record, any monosodium glutamate, or MSG, used to flavor food must be declared on the label as such).

Both artificial and natural flavors are made by “flavorists” in a laboratory by blending either “natural” chemicals or “synthetic” chemicals to create flavorings. Gary Reineccius, a professor in the department of food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota says “The distinction in flavorings--natural versus artificial--comes from the source of these identical chemicals and may be likened to saying that an apple sold in a gas station is artificial and one sold from a fruit stand is natural.” He also says, “Artificial flavorings are simpler in composition and potentially safer because only safety-tested components are utilized."

Another difference between natural and artificial flavorings is cost. The search for "natural" sources of chemicals often requires that a manufacturer go to great lengths to obtain a given chemical…. Furthermore, the process is costly. This pure natural chemical is identical to the version made in an organic chemist’s laboratory, yet it is much more expensive than the synthetic alternative. Consumers pay a lot for natural flavorings. But these are in fact no better in quality, nor are they safer, than their cost-effective artificial counterparts.”


Natural and artificial flavoring are known components of many foods, but the process on how they come to be is something of a closely guarded secret. The 60 Minutes team was given access to Givaudan, one of the biggest flavoring companies, and aired a fascinating -- and startling -- segment on the company last night.

Givaudan may be the biggest multinational company you've never heard of, explains correspondent Morley Safer. It employees 9,000 people in 45 countries. Givaudan employees admit that they aim to mimic "Mother Nature" with chemicals. They create flavors that don't linger too long -- that way, you'll want to go back for more. "There's a lot of secrecy," confesses one employee. The company won't reveal which brands contain Givaudan flavors.

Another employee explains that although both artificial and natural flavors are both chemical combinations, artificial flavors are largely man-made. Natural flavors come from nature, but that doesn't mean they come from what the label says. In other words, a strawberry flavor doesn't have to come from a strawberry (ditto on french fries).

Safer speaks with Dr. David Kessler, former FDA Commissioner. Kessler questions whether all these flavorings are really food. "We're living in a food carnival, these flavors are so stimulating they hijack our brain," he asserts.

Now, Givaudan is working hard to figure out how to make health and wellness taste good -- how do you reduce salt and sugar and still make a tasty product? It may be a challenge, but it sounds like the company is up to the task, for better or worse.

Does this information get you thinking?  What am I actually eating? 


A lifestyle that is full of process and artificial foods, is a like living an artificial life. Our human bodies are not meant to consume all those chemicals every day, and what we can't break down naturally, gets stored in our fat cells that line our bodies, cause a toxic junk yard.

Now is a time for change for You and Your Family!  Start thinking about what you and your children are consuming every day, even those items that say "Natural" on the labeling, are not actually from nature.  Stick to a diet of whole real foods, created by "Mother Nature", grown from the ground, farm or ocean and raised or farmed without any added chemicals, antibotics and GMO's.

This is Your Health and Your Life!  You have the Power to Change!


Please watch the very informative 60 Minutes interview:

Resources for this article include segments from Phil Lempert, Supermarket Guru, Wikipedia and Huff Post Food and newscast by 60 Minutes at CBS News.  Article written and edited by Lisa Powers.