Natural Brownie Flavour

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Natural Brownie Flavour is a proprietary flavouring preparation composed of natural-source aromatic compounds (typically including cocoa, vanilla, butter, and caramel-related constituents) designed to impart the characteristic taste and aroma of a baked chocolate brownie. It is used in baked goods, dairy products, confectionery, and beverages to replicate or enhance brownie-like sensory profiles.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

As a multi-component natural flavouring preparation, Natural Brownie Flavour has no single assigned ADI; its constituent substances must each comply with applicable GRAS or approved flavouring-substance standards. At typical use levels (good manufacturing practice quantities), no significant safety concern has been identified for the general adult population by FDA or EFSA. The exact composition is proprietary and trade-secret, making independent toxicological review of the blend as a whole impractical; safety responsibility rests with the manufacturer under self-affirmed GRAS provisions.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) (Australia)	Approved	Regulated under Standard 1.3.1 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Natural flavouring substances permitted at GMP levels; no specific standard for 'brownie flavour' blends. Constituent substances must comply with the permitted flavouring substances schedule.source
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Governed by Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 on flavourings, applicable from 20 January 2011. The term 'natural' is strictly defined; constituent substances must appear on the Union list (Annex I, as adopted October 2012 via Regulation (EU) No 872/2012) or be permitted under good manufacturing practice. No E-number is assigned to flavouring preparations. Labelling must identify the preparation as 'natural flavouring' per Chapter IV of the Regulation.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	FSSAI regulates flavouring substances under Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. Natural flavouring preparations are permitted subject to compliance with the FSSAI Compendium of Flavouring Substances; no specific listing for 'brownie flavour' as a blend exists. Individual constituent substances must be permitted.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Natural flavourings are regulated under 21 CFR 101.22. Constituent flavouring substances must be GRAS (21 CFR Parts 182/184) or approved food additives. FEMA GRAS assessments also apply to individual flavouring substances in the blend. No specific regulation exists for the branded blend 'Natural Brownie Flavour'; compliance is manufacturer-affirmed.

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Phenylketonuria — Some natural brownie flavour formulations may contain phenylalanine-bearing carrier substances or sweeteners such as aspartame as part of a blended product; individuals with PKU must verify the exact composition with the manufacturer.

Other — Individuals with known allergies to chocolate, dairy (butter notes), vanilla, or tree nuts should verify the sourcing of the natural constituents, as natural flavouring preparations may be derived from or processed alongside these common allergens.

Infants — Natural flavouring preparations are generally not recommended for infants, whose metabolic and renal clearance capacity is limited; flavourings in infant formula and foods are subject to stricter regulatory scrutiny and should be used only when specifically authorised for that age group.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) | FDA. fda.gov
2FDA. Food Additives and GRAS Ingredients – Information for Consumers | FDA. fda.gov
3EFSA. Flavourings | EFSA – European Union. efsa.europa.eu
4other. EFSA Scientific Guidance on Flavourings – Data required for risk assessment (adopted November 2022), 2022. efsa.europa.eu
5other. Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties, 2008. eur-lex.europa.eu

Independently researched5 citations