Artificial Creamy Vanilla Flavour

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Artificial creamy vanilla flavour is a synthetically derived flavouring mixture, typically based on vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) and/or ethyl vanillin, compounded with dairy-character notes to mimic the taste of natural vanilla cream. It is used to impart vanilla and creamy taste profiles to confectionery, dairy products, baked goods, and beverages at low use levels.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Both vanillin and ethyl vanillin, the primary components of artificial vanilla flavourings, are designated GRAS by the US FDA under 21 CFR 182.60/182.90 and are approved flavouring substances under JECFA and EU Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008; no ADI has been numerically established for vanillin by JECFA owing to its low toxicological concern at typical food-use levels. No significant carcinogenic, genotoxic, or reproductive hazard has been identified at normal dietary intakes in the general adult population; ethyl vanillin at very high experimental doses has shown some liver effects in animals, but these are not considered relevant at food-grade exposures. Sensitive individuals, particularly those with fragrance or balsam-of-Peru contact allergies, may experience cross-reactive responses, and the 'creamy' carrier components (e.g., dairy-derived or propylene glycol bases) may be relevant for lactose-intolerant or sensitive consumers.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) (Australia)	Approved	Permitted as a flavouring substance under Standard 1.3.1 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Vanillin and ethyl vanillin are on the approved flavouring substances list. Declared as 'flavour' or 'artificial flavour' on label.source
Health Canada (Canada)	Approved	Vanillin and ethyl vanillin are permitted flavouring agents under the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR), Division 10. Use at GMP. Labelled as 'artificial flavour'.source
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Governed by Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 on flavourings used in or on foods. Vanillin (FL No. 05.004) and ethyl vanillin (FL No. 05.001) are included in the Union list of evaluated flavouring substances. Use must comply with maximum levels set in Annex III where applicable. Labelled as 'artificial flavouring' or by substance name.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Permitted as an artificial flavouring substance under FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, Regulation 3.3.1. Must be declared by common name (e.g., 'artificial vanilla flavour') on label per FSS (Labelling & Display) Regulations, 2020. No numeric ADI specified; use at GMP.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Infants — FSSAI Foods for Infant Nutrition Regulations 2020 restrict use of non-essential additives including artificial flavourings in infant food products; artificial flavourings are generally not recommended for infants due to lack of specific safety data in this age group.

Children — Regulatory guidance in multiple jurisdictions (including FSSAI and EFSA opinions) recommends minimising unnecessary artificial additive exposure in children; some creamy vanilla flavour blends may contain propylene glycol carriers, which are subject to use-level limits.

Lactose Intolerance — The 'creamy' character of this flavour may be achieved using dairy-derived carrier or flavour components; lactose-intolerant individuals should check whether a specific product's flavour base contains lactose or dairy derivatives.

Other — Individuals with balsam-of-Peru or fragrance mix contact allergies may experience cross-reactive sensitivity to vanillin and related phenylpropanoid compounds present in artificial vanilla flavourings.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. Synthetic flavoring substances and adjuvants — 21 CFR 182.60 (Ethyl vanillin, GRAS). accessdata.fda.gov
2FDA. Synthetic flavoring substances and adjuvants — 21 CFR 172.515. accessdata.fda.gov
3WHO. JECFA Flavouring Agents — Vanillin and Ethyl Vanillin Safety Evaluations. fao.org
4FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 — Flavour Declaration Rules, 2022. fssai.gov.in
5FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 — Regulation 3.3.1, 2011. fssai.gov.in
6other. EU Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods, 2008. food.ec.europa.eu

Independently researched6 citations