Natural Lemon Flavour

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Natural lemon flavour is a complex mixture of aromatic compounds derived from Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f., obtained by cold-pressing or steam-distilling the peel, or by solvent/aqueous extraction of the fruit or its constituents. It is used widely in foods and beverages to impart a characteristic lemon taste and aroma.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Natural lemon flavour is broadly considered safe at typical food-use concentrations, with GRAS status in the United States and general permission under EU flavourings legislation; no formal Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) has been established by JECFA or EFSA for the whole preparation. The primary volatile component, d-limonene, is classified as a skin sensitiser (Skin Sens. 1B) and skin irritant (Skin Irrit. 2) under EU chemicals regulations, posing an allergic-reaction risk in sensitised individuals. Cold-pressed (expressed) lemon oil contains furocoumarins (e.g., bergapten) that can cause phototoxicity via topical exposure; EU Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 restricts furocoumarin levels in finished food products to mitigate this risk.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties. Natural flavouring preparations from a recognised food source (Citrus limon) may be used without individual pre-market evaluation provided they pose no safety risk to the consumer. Specific constituent flavouring substances (e.g., d-limonene) are included in the Union list under Regulation (EU) No 872/2012. Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 restricts furocoumarins in food to ≤1 mg/kg (bergapten ≤0.75 mg/kg in beverages) to address phototoxicity concerns from cold-pressed lemon oil.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Permitted as a natural flavouring agent under FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011, Regulation 3.3.1. Per FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020, natural flavouring substances require only the class name declaration (e.g., 'natural lemon flavour' or 'flavouring') on the ingredient list; artificial flavouring substances must declare the common name. Products for children under 5 years may only be used under medical advice per FSSAI advisory.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Listed as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) under 21 CFR 182.20 as a natural flavouring substance (essential oils, oleoresins, and natural extractives). Natural flavours are defined under 21 CFR 101.22(a)(3). Amount used must be consistent with good manufacturing practice (GMP). FEMA Expert Panel has affirmed GRAS status for lemon oil (FEMA No. 2625).source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Other — Individuals with a documented citrus or limonene allergy or contact sensitisation should exercise caution, as d-limonene (the primary volatile component of lemon oil, classified Skin Sens. 1B under EU chemicals regulations) may trigger allergic reactions in sensitised individuals even at food-use concentrations.

Infants — FSSAI guidance restricts flavoured products for children under 5 years to consumption only under medical advice, and immature metabolic capacity in very young infants may increase susceptibility to concentrated flavouring components.

Ibs — Citrus-derived flavourings including natural lemon flavour may act as a gastrointestinal trigger in individuals with IBS or functional dyspepsia due to their acidic volatile aromatic constituents stimulating gastric acid secretion or gut motility.

Gerd — Natural lemon flavour's acidic and volatile aromatic profile may exacerbate gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms by relaxing the lower oesophageal sphincter or increasing gastric acid in susceptible individuals.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Part 182.20 – Essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free), and natural extractives (including distillates) – GRAS. accessdata.fda.gov
2other. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/200 of 30 January 2023 – Non-approval of lemon essential oil as a basic substance under plant protection products regulation, 2023. eur-lex.europa.eu
3EFSA. Safety and efficacy of feed additives consisting of expressed lemon oil and its fractions from Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck and of lime oil from Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl), 2021. efsa.europa.eu
4FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 – Regulation 3.3.1 on Flavouring Agents; and FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulations 2020, 2011. fssai.gov.in
5other. Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods, 2008. eur-lex.europa.eu

Independently researched5 citations